Most residents of rural areas are accustomed to seeing occasional “controlled burns” of unwanted brush and plant life. What’s not usually included, however, are buildings. Reporter David Haldane says that’s about to change…
If you happen to see smoke in Twentynine Palms this week, don’t be alarmed; it’s just the fire department burning down some houses.
It’s all part of a joint action by the city and the San Bernardino County Fire Department to benefit both. The firefighters get to train 40 new recruits in actual structure fires and the city gets rid of two duplexes and four single family dwellings standing in the way of Project Phoenix.
One of them, officials say, is among the nicest houses around.
Fortunately, the city compensated various owners at their properties’ assessed values. To accomplish the demolition by fire, Cholla, Smoketree, Yucca and Tamarisk Avenues will be closed between Highway 62 and Cactus Drive from April 24-28. Oh, and a bit of advice from the fire department: if you see any smoke that you’re not sure comes from the training burns, please call 911. For Z1077, this is David Haldane.
CONTROLLED BURN IN TWENTYNINE PALMS
