LMRFD FIRE CHIEF TALK ON BURN BAN MAY 30 2026

Fire Chief Tim Bonnee addressed an audience of 20 at the Dolan Springs Community Council this morning, May 30, from 10:00 am to 11:15 am, primarily to provide information concerning the current burn ban.  He fielded questions around other Fire District related issues as well.  The takeaways:

1. Yes, the burn ban applies even if you have a burn permit.  The State establishes the ban dependent upon factors its experts determine, without any advance notice given to Fire Districts.  The LMRFD does not establish the burn ban, but is required to enforce it.

2. The ONLY fires allowed are small cooking fires contained in a propane or charcoal grill. 

3. The County will be enforcing a minimum $750 fine for illegal burning during the burn ban.

4. A request for broader dispensation of information was heard, as not everyone is online to receive critical information. It was agreed that LMRFD would utilize methods beyond social media and websites to post burn ban notices, request for volunteers, and other FD related information.  Some potential postings will include:

            DSCC bulletin board

            Mail & More bulletin board

            Water station bulletin boards

            Bulletin boards wherever available around town

            Julia’s newsletter

5. The need for volunteers in all capacities was discussed.  With a low income area budget, LMRFD is limited to 2 full time paid firefighter/EMS personnel plus Fire Chief (who also participates actively as a firefighter and Paramedic) and 1 part time paid personnel in the Meadview station.  The LMRFD relies heavily on volunteers for firefighting related activities.  Chief Bonnee emphasized that volunteers do not have to be firefighters, as drivers on the trucks to shuttle water from distant hydrants to the fires are critical.  Just as important are those who are available to clean up the equipment after the trucks return from a fire.  Firefighters exhausted from hours on a fire then must spend hours back at the station cleaning up and getting the apparatus ready to go again before they can take a break.  Chief stated that anyone interested in volunteering in any capacity will be trained and have opportunities for advancement if they are interested.  He highlighted Volunteer Coordinator Edgar Tolentino, who, making a good show as a volunteer and sincere in his community minded efforts, was given a scholarship by the LMRFD to obtain his EMT certification. 

6.  Chief Bonnee announced that he is fighting the County for LMRFD’s appropriate share of PILT funds (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) to the tune of  $1.1 million.  PILT is disbursed to counties by the State Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to be disbursed to Fire and Sheriff services covering BLM lands.  LMRFD covers the largest area of BLM lands but gets none of the PILT $$, as it has for years gone into the County General Fund.  Chief is fighting to change that.  The community will be called upon at some point to attend Board of Supervisor meetings to back the Chief and stand for better Fire and EMS service to our communities.

7.  Chief announced that he will be putting on monthly CPR classes beginning the end of June.  There will be no charge for the class.  To receive the CPR Certification card costs $20.

Ellen Reh-Bower

5/30/26