MEDICAL LAKE, Wash. — Members of the Medical Lake community came together at Silver Lake Camp to continue the restoration process of the city of Medical Lake.
Community members and volunteers from Team Rubicon, a veteran led humanitarian organization, cut back damaged trees and removed brush.
The efforts were led by Ron Burris, head chair for the Medical Lake Tree and Debris Removal committee.
Burris said the committee is operating solely on volunteer support, manpower and equipment. He also mentioned that none of the government assistance for the fires covered tree removal.
“Trees will rot in two years if not removed now,” Burris said, motioning to the browned pine needs in the charred trees.
While tree rot is one concern, the 12 volunteers cut away dead trees from homeowner property to pave a way for new construction and foundations to go in.
Medial Lake mayor Terry Cooper was also in attendance. “I think what I want the public to understand is that restoration starts the minute the disaster happens,” Cooper said.
It has been just over two months since the Gray Fire started on Aug. 18, but now restoration for the people and land of Medical Lake seem to be just on the horizon.
Ron Burris is urging anyone to volunteer their time to help or donate equipment, like saws and logging tools, as they are needed to complete the felling of trees on 160 sites across Medical Lake.
If you want to volunteer or donate equipment, you can visit the Reimagine Medical Lake website.
