By Pete Shearer

As we witness the devastation and lack of preparedness for the California fires, I am reminded of the great job that the community of Tusayan has done in being prepared in the case of a devastating wildfire. As witnessed in the 2023 flood event, the Town Mayor took immediate action in mobilizing all available resources to protect residents and property from that unforeseen natural disaster. That was the worst natural disaster I ever witnessed in my 50 years there. And the Town was up to the challenge.

My message today is that over the last few decades, the Mayor, her family and friends, as well as the current Town Council, have been proactive in tapping into local resources, including the County, TFD, TSD, and the USFS to be as prepared as possible to deal with any natural disaster. What’s more important is that the Mayor has spent decades in creating a defensible forest space around our small community and has been supportive of TSD’s efforts to work with the USFS and TFD to improve our preparedness. Under her leadership we enjoy the greatest preparedness possible. The Town and TFD have worked with the USFS in clearing and burning around Tusayan. TSD has installed pumps, water storage tanks, and many reclaimed fire hydrants throughout the community to supplement the limited potable water supply. This not only better protects the residents but also is a continuing success in protecting our aquifer and the springs of GCNP.  The Mayor, her family, employees, and friends have done their best to protect our small community.

Tusayan does have a similar weakness that LA experienced. If electricity is cut due to a massive forest fire, our pumps would not be able to supply the pressure and flows required to combat the flames. Kudos to the Mayor and her staff in working with TSD recently to acquire funding to update our antiquated backup generator. Thanks to TFD for letting TSD know when there are potential problems with fire hydrants. Thanks to the USFS for working with the community to create a truck fill station that allows fire fighters, both USFS and TFD, unlimited amounts of reclaimed water for fighting forests fires, at no cost.

And kudos to the Town for funding TFD and buying the newest fire truck.

There are ways that we can continue to improve our preparedness;

More water storage, ongoing cooperative thinning efforts with the USFS, better backup pumping systems for the potable water supply, and continued cooperation with the airport to be able to tap into their substantial water storage supply in cases of wildfires.

We can always make it better, but we are lucky to be as prepared as we are today. Thanks to Clarinda, Josh, Andrew, Greg, and to all the members of the local District Boards in working cooperatively to be as prepared as possible.

Pete Shearer