BE FIRE SAFE
Sunriver Nature Center introduces its newest animal ambassador
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SSD assigns a task force to vet options for a new public safety facility
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Thanks for Keeping Sunriver Safe!
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A NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE SUNRIVER OWNERS ASSOCIATION
VOLUME XLVII • NUMBER 7 NO
SROA Member Pool opens
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JULY 2021
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21st Annual War on Weeds August 1-14
Thanks for Keeping Sunriver Safe!
Sign-up to volunteer for this virtual event at www.sunriverowners.org/ departments/naturalresources
Act now to control noxious weeds
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fter close to 20 months, the SROA Member Pool (former North Pool) has been fully renovated and is now open through Sept. 6. The facility opened June 19 and is operating on a slightly modified Thursday through Monday schedule (closed Tuesday-Wednesday) due to a shortage of lifeguard staffing. The pool’s welcome building serves a dual purpose and operates daily as tennis check-in for the adjacent North Courts Complex. Open to SROA owners with a valid Member Preference ID, offerings currently include lap swim and two, walkin recreation swim sessions. As the Scene went to press, occupancy was
SUSAN BERGER PHOTO
still limited under COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions. older, including spectators). Members must accompany Access to the facility is with a Member Preference ID and remain with their guests while they use the pool. card, Extended Family ID card, long-term renters with ID Member Pool Access Details & Rules cards and SROA Recreation Guest Pass. Owners can bring Visit www.sunriverowners.org/memberpool up to 6 guests at a $10 member guest fee (ages 4 and
SROA NEWS – Noxious weeds including spotted knapweed, Dalmatian toadflax, and several varieties of thistle have made their annual appearance in Sunriver. To protect our native plants, wild-life habitat, and property values, the Sunriver community has established regulations requiring owners to take action to eliminate noxious weeds from their properties. Owners should start inspecting their lots for noxious weeds now and repeat the task throughout the season. Knapweed and bull thistle are best controlled by pulling, and toadflax by spraying (as pulling toadflax can stimulate growth). Turn to Control, page 3
What an owner can do to harden their home to mitigate wildfire risks vegetation and other wildfire hazards in the home ignition zone, or “HIZ,” and the use of fire-resistant building materials. Work in the home ignition zone is also called creating “defensible space.” The HIZ is divided into three zones: • Zone 1, which includes the home and extends outward for 5 feet. • Zone 2, which extends from 5 to 30 feet. • Zone 3, which extends from 30 to 100 feet (more on steeper slopes). Science tells us Zone 1 is the most important zone in which to act as it is the most vulnerable to embers. Starting with the house itself then moving into the landscaping section of Zone 1, there are many actions homeowners can take to make this a non-combustible area: • Clean the roof and gutters of dead leaves, pine needles and other debris. • Move all flammable natural mateTurn to Harden, page 3
Stacking and/or storing firewood along the exterior of your home or on/under a deck is a huge fire hazard. SUNRIVER SCENE SUNRIVER OWNERS ASSN. VOLUME XLVII • NUMBER 7 P.O. BOX 3278 SUNRIVER, OR 97707
SROA NEWS – Even though the summer wildfire season has arrived in Central Oregon, Sunriver property owners can take actions that will determine how their homes and structures may be affected in the event of wildfire and minimize their risk for loss. More than 30 years of research shows that what owners do in the immediate area around their homes has the greatest impact on home ignition, regardless of the surrounding vegetation or forest management. This is a direct result of the threat embers – which can be transported by wind a mile or more away from the flame front – pose to homes. Wind-borne embers ignite after landing in receptive fuel beds like dead vegetation, gutters full of pine needles, or other places like unscreened vents. Fire then often moves to adjacent homes. The chances of a home surviving an ember storm or small spot fire are greatly increased if owners reduce flammable PRSRT STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID BEND, OR PERMIT NO. 213