Talking Fire

Riverside State Park

Fire is nothing new to the 10,000 acres that make up Riverside State Park. But with more and more residences cropping up just outside the park’s borders, a new policy for fire management is critical, said Jack Hartt, park manager.

“After studying the forest environment of the park this past summer, we have prepared several options for reducing the fire hazard, and options for where to begin reducing that hazard, since we cannot do the entire park all at once,” he said.

These options will be presented at a public meeting Monday, 7 p.m., at the Westgate Christian Church, 7111 Nine Mile Road. The church is just north of Rifle Club Road on Highway 291.

Park managers are seeking public comment on the proposals, he said.

Some neighborning landowners already have been working with the park to clear brush and fire hazards near their homes, Hartt said. Info: 456-2757.