What? Briceland Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) has been working with the community to correct and update road names and addresses in the Briceland Fire District and to recommended these changes to Humboldt County Planning. Phase 1 was in the Seely Creek/Elk Ridge Road network, Phase II was in the Crooked Prairie/Blue Slide Creek Road network in addition to Miller Creek Road and Shop Road. Barley Hill and James Creek roads had changes instituted previously.
Why? To save lives! While we realize there is inconvenience to making these changes, we ask everyone to understand that these re-assignments were greatly needed to correct historical addressing that had oftentimes left homes on the same road—with different road names and homes on different roads—with the same road name and with address numbers in no discernable order. Having the road names sorted out and a sequential numerical address system will greatly assist emergency responders’ ability to navigate these rural roads and will help them locate where they need to go, when they are needed most. When minutes can make a critical difference between good and bad outcomes, a coherent address system can mean the difference between life and death.
Where? This project was done in the Briceland Fire Protection District on roads that had the worst problems and the most people. As well, a few address changes were recommended for dwellings on roads that cross in and out of the Briceland/Telegraph Ridge District Boundary. These changes will greatly assist both fire departments.
How? Briceland Volunteer Fire Department with grant from the California Fire Foundation funded the purchase of signage and the field and computer work starting in 2021.
What is the City and ZIP for my new address?
I received a Change of Address Notice Letter that gave “Briceland” as my city. Is this part of my new address? No. This has been a cause of some confusion. Please consult your postmaster directly to get confirmation on the ZIP code and mailing city for your new address, even if you don’t get mail service to your house or if you get mail to a cluster of boxes at the bottom of your road. The community designation “Briceland” on the letter tells agencies the geographical area the address is associated with for a physical address, but for your specific physical address, you will need a “mailing city” and ZIP to be determined by the postmaster.
Address Signs:
Should we post our new address? Yes! Address number signs should be posted at the intersection of your driveway with the named road and at the house or other intersections on long driveways.
Does Briceland Fire sell address signs? Yes! Address number signs are available for purchase (at cost) for $15 each. Email bricelandfire@gmail.com with the address numbers you need and state whether you want the signs to be horizontal or vertical and how many you want of each. Signs can be picked up at the Briceland Fire Station during office hours, Tuesdays 2-5pm.
What documents do I have to change to reflect my new address?
So far, we have gotten feedback from residents telling us to update their address on documents from:
-DMV
-Voter Registration
-Cannabis stuff -business license, state license, county permit, insurance, surety bond, CDFW
-Post Office
– Pet Collars
– Homeland Security-Green-card holders need to update their address within 15 days of moving, this may apply if your address changes even if you did not move.
– DOJ (any gun owners)
THANK YOU
And we would especially like to thank all the sponsors who donated such great raffle prizes and needed supplies and time/labor for the event. This list includes the following, we couldn’t have done it without you:
And as always, Beginnings in Briceland and all those who helped out and volunteered!
Till next year, thank you all!
The Wolf and his crew entertaining the crowd.
A picture perfect sunset.
Engine 5436 and her crew recently returned home from a 14 day assignment near Orleans at the SRF Lighting Complex Fires. Assigned to protect homes in the Ishi Pishi and Somes Bar area, we partnered with Shelter Cove and Fortuna VFDs as well as Redwood Valley-Capella, Humboldt Bay and Arcata Fire Departments forming a Strike Team of five Type 3 Wildland Engines working together under the Cal OES mutual aid system.
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With hundreds of lightning strikes recently in the area, mostly to east of Briceland, local fire agencies responded to dozens of reported fires over the last few days. Fortunately there were significant amounts of rain associated with these thunderstorms and many of the fires did not get a chance to grow much before they were put out. However, there were several that did grow in size and required extended efforts to contain. Water Tender 5466, Engines 5436 and 5446, as well as BVFD command staff assisted on multiple fires.
Just before 6 AM this Wednesday (8/9) BVFD responded to a structure fire adjacent to Briceland Thorne Rd, 2 miles west of Redway. With mutual aid assistance from Redway and Garberville VFDs, as well as from CalFire, the fire was quickly knocked down. Ignition of the surrounding unmaintained vegetation was prevented and, although the home sustained major interior damage, the fire did not reach the exterior of the building. After hours of work to secure that all embers had been put out completely, our crew returned to station to recoup our equipment. Just before 7PM we were called to 2nd fire, originally reported as a another structure fire, located on Alapok Ln, not a quarter mile from the mornings fire. It turned out to be a vegetation fire in grass and brush. Fortunately, this fire was also stopped quickly, contained at less than a quarter of an acre. BVFD is very grateful for the help from our partners Redway Fire and Garberville Fire. Recent multi-departmental trainings in both structural and wildland fire, as well as medical first aid, has helped to provide an increased cohesion in our emergency responses.