CURRENT NEWS . . .

IT'S FLOOD SEASON – Elevate your preparedness for flood season. Know the road to take before flooding begins. For more information on floods and other emergencies, go to the Arizona Emergency Information Network (AzEin) at ein.az.gov

National Nite Out, Oracle, AZ – Thanks to Oracle Fire and a few firefighters that showed up to the event on Friday, August 5, 2022 at the Oracle Community Center and show their support.

ORACLE BRUSH DUMP STATUS
Due to the lack of rain and the abundance of brush, we had to make the hard decision to temporarily close the brush dump this coming Saturday, July 23, 2022, at 5pm. It will re-open when we get enough rain to safely burn the piles and have the time to clean everything up. We apologize for the inconvenience.

CURRENT FIRE DANGER
Regarding the current fire danger, click HERE for the link to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, which explains the current Stage 2 fire restrictions or go to this site: https://dffm.az.gov/fire-restrictions.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS
State Lands Restriction Information as of today's date:
• Stage 2 Fire Restrictions: All State Trust Lands in Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Pinal, and Yuma Counties.
• Stage 1 Fire Restrictions: All State Trust Lands in Coconino County NORTH of the Grand Canyon.
Target shooting and fireworks NEVER allowed at any time of the year on State Trust Lands.
Have questions? email them at: media@dffm.az.gov
For state, federal, and tribal fire restrictions visit their NEW website at Arizona State Park: https://azstateparks.com

NEW DIRECT LINKS TO BURN PERMITS AND RESTRICTIONS –
We now have a new main link button (left) on this home page to these important sources regarding Burn Permits and Restrictions.
• Pinal County – BURN PERMITS and another for PERMITTED FIRES.
• Coronado National Forest – All info including Burn Permits.
• Dept. of Forestry & Fire Management (DFFM) –
A direct link to FIRE RESTRICTIONS.
• For state, federal, and tribal fire restrictions visit their NEW website at Arizona State Park: https://azstateparks.com

WASTE VOUCHER DISPOSAL PROGRAM
Many residents have been inquiring about the most recent Waste Voucher Disposal Program through Pinal County. If you cannot open the application POSTER, please call 520-866-6419 or email them at: pcroadmaintenance.sharedmailbox@pinal.gov.

OFD • OFD • OFD • OFD xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx • ORACLE, ARIZONA

NEED HELP TO FIREWISE YOUR PROPERTY? – OFD is now accepting applications for a grant that may help you now or in the future. Click HERE to find out details. Click HERE for the application. If you just need a list of landscapers and contractors that are available here in Oracle, click HERE for more information. Note: they do not work for OFD.

PREPARING FOR WILDFIRE – Your future self may thank you for this: do these two things right now to prepare for wildfires. Not sure how? Click HERE.

ORACLE BRUSH DUMP NORMAL HOURS
Note that the Brush Dump will now be closed on Sundays and Mondays as well as holidays!
Normal Brush Dump Hours now are from 8:00am-4:45pm.
One of the ways of managing our Oracle Brush Dump is to burn more frequently so burns are smaller, more manageable and accumulation of brush will be reduced. Thank you for your patience.
Over the last few years, the amount of brush being dumped has increased dramatically. We’ve even seen brush coming up from as far as Tucson and Marana, which has overwhelmed our little community resources. Please see our most recent policies and procedures below.

OFD BRUSH DUMP
UPDATED POLICIES & PROCEDURES: (02-04-22)
POLICIES:
• Use of the brush dump is limited to vegetation removed from properties within Oracle Fire District.
• As always, only tree & shrub trimmings, grass cuttings, and leaves are accepted. Tree trunks over 10” in diameter, tree stumps, cactus, agaves, or yuccas are NOT accepted as they do not burn completely. NO trash, lumber or construction materials, pallets, etc.
• Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday. 8am- 5pm (last key check out at 4:45pm).
• We are now closed on Sundays and Mondays and all Holidays.
• The key will NOT be given to anyone without proof of residency or a permit.
• Non-compliance with any policies or procedures may result in permission to use the brush dump being revoked.
PROCEDURES:
• Proof of residency (Driver License, utility bill, or property tax document) that shows that you own property within Oracle Fire District or are renting is required to complete a resident form and to obtain permits.
• New resident forms will only be issued by the OFD administrative staff, front office of the fire station, Mon-Thurs 8am-4pm, and Friday mornings 8am-noon.
• If you cannot make it to OFD during these admin. hours, email either Tina at tacosta@oraclefire.org or Cherie at ccheney@oraclefire.org or call 520-896-2980 during admin. hours for alternative methods.
• Once an Oracle resident form is completed, they will be issued a Resident card with their name and number, which can be shown at the front office for the brush dump key.
• For an Oracle resident using a contractor to haul their brush, a sheet of 5 “permits"with your name and Resident ID # will be issued. The resident will be required to complete each permit with their name and phone number. When needed, the resident will fill in the contractor’s name and phone number on the permit and give one permit to them. More permits may be issued on a case-by-case basis.
• The resident will show their card, or the contractor will give the permit to the person at the front window of the OFD station, and will be required to pay the appropriate fee . . .
• $5 for one load – back of truck OR trailer
• $10 for two loads – back of truck AND trailer
• $20 for a dump truck.
Note: EXACT CHANGE IS REQUIRED!

Can't take it to the local OFD Brush Dump?
Materials (like cactus, agaves, large tree stumps, construction lumber, etc) can be taken to our local Waste Management location using a Pinal County voucher. Updated information to come soon.

WILDFIRE INFORMATION – There is ONE WEBSITE that has the best information on all major fires in the US. Make this a bookmark for Arizona and any other state you may want to check on. The home page takes you to the most current and largest fires. It has maps, details and updates. For all fires in one state, click at the top right, choose your state and click GO. Click HERE to go to that site or bookmark the link: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
Facebook is also another good source for the latest information.

OFD IS RECRUITING! – Oracle Fire is now recruiting for Part-Time and Reserve Firefighter/ EMTs. Paid 24-hr shifts. You must be at least 18. Click HERE to see our flyer with more details or you can email us at: rjennings@oraclefire.org

GETTING ALERTS – If you have not yet turned in our ENS form to be added to the OFD emergency notification system, please fill out the form, complete and either email back to OFD (Tina), fax, or bring in. Don’t forget to sign up for the Pinal County Emergency Notification System as well.

THE ORACLE EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM (ENS) –
You can't afford not to be on this list for emergency notifications. Click to go to the "ENS" form and be sure to get any additional numbers (besides your landline) in the system by filling it out and returning it to Oracle Fire District. Just drop it by the fire station.
HOME ALONE ENS SYSTEM – If you are in need of an earlier warning to evacuate due to your health or to relocate animals and livestock, you can be in a special group that gets ENS warnings ahead of the general public. Here's a LIST of evacuation information that may help you.

INTERESTED IN EVACUATION PREPARATION OR WILDFIRE STATUS? Here are some links and documents that will help you find the information you need:
• Ready, Set, Go - Information on One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire.
• How to Have a Firewise Home (606kB)
• Living with Wildfire (3.5MB)
• FEMA Evacuation Checklist (123kB)
• One Less Spark (Poster) (2MB)
• Newsletter - SUMMER
• EQUINE & LIVESTOCK EVAC PREP - Link to Video on youtube – Wildfire preparedness tips from a firefighter, veterinarian and ranch owner called "Saving the Ranch."

MORE INFORMATION – Would you like more useful info on wildfire? Click HERE for News & Information, Fire Weather, Maps, WIldland Fire Data in Google Earth, Arizona Fire Ecology, WIldland Fire, Firewise Resources, Smoke and Air Quality, Info for Before, During and After a Wildfire, How to Help and Fire Prevention & Education topics. There are several excellent artlces relative under each topic you can click to at the Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention website.

What is a Red Flag Warning? – According to the National Weather Service, a Red Flag Warning is issued when a "combination of low humidity, strong winds, dry ground cover, and warm temperatures are expected to bring critical fire weather conditions to the warned area." When we have these conditions, you may see our red flag flying in front of the fire station. Please be vigilant and cautious especially on these days.