- KVFD Pancake Breakfast Recap
- Plastic Free July
- Seasonal Reminders
- Green Waste Container
- Wildlife Safety
- What is the Board Doing Now?
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KVFD Pancake Breakfast Recap
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On July 5th, 2026, the Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department hosted its first Pancake Breakfast. The event was held inside the fire department’s vehicle bay and welcomed over 200 community members from around the Kirkwood Valley. Money raised from the event will be used to help purchase personal protective equipment for your dedicated volunteers. The District and the Fire Department are thankful for support and help in reaching their $25,000 goal. At this time, donations are still open, and the final tally will be shared in the next newsletter.
During the event, Kirkwood: Stories from the First Fifty Years was available for purchase. This exciting re-release, compiled by Anh Oppenheimer, Melene Smith, Geoff Smith, Sandy Sloan and Eric Richert shares firsthand and local accounts of the history, legends, and all things you need to know of Kirkwood Valley. To get your own copy, contact the District’s office.
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Did you know that in 2024 California produced 77.2 million tons of solid waste? Only 32.4 million tons of that waste was recycled. So, it begs the question: What will I do to reduce plastic waste in my life? "Plastic Free July" is an initiative to reduce plastic waste. These four simple low-cost suggestions can help combat plastic waste in your everyday life:
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- Swap single use plastic water bottles with a personalized reusable bottle
- Switch to using reusable canvas bags for your groceries and eliminate bag fees
- Buy in bulk and invest in refillable containers for pantry staples, household products, and personal hygiene products, saving you money in the long run ·
- Ditch one- time use plastic wrap, zip-locks, and to-go containers by using beeswax wraps, silicone lids and cotton mesh bags, and a lunch box to carry on the go
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"Plastic Free July" is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. How will you reduce your plastic waste?
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The District provides a green waste bin located on Loop Road next to the solid waste dumpster area for residents.
This 40-yard container is only for the disposal of green waste defensible space type debris. Examples are pine needles, small tree limbs, shrubs, bushes, and willows. This container is NOT intended for tree trunks, stumps, or non-vegetation items like dirt, rock, lumber, pallets, and trash. Please visit KMPUD.com, under the Services tab, to find more information about solid waste services.
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During the summer months, it’s not uncommon to see wildlife in their natural habitat. Kirkwood is a place that few people, but many animals call home. Over 2,300 acres of terrain encompass Kirkwood Valley and it sits directly in the El Dorado National Forest. While that’s something to behold, it’s important to remember that space is shared with wildlife, such as bears, squirrels, coyote, large birds, foxes, mountain lions, and more. It is unlikely that you’ll encounter aggressive or dangerous animals, but staying vigilant while outdoors is important for your safety and the safety of local wildlife. Kirkwood's most notorious visitors are black bears. These non-aggressive animals frequent the valley looking for food; bringing their young here to scavenge which creates generational habits and reliability on human food sources. This can become hazardous for humans and animals alike. To keep Kirkwood wild, and to lower your risk of wildlife encounters you should:
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- Dispose of trash properly, by putting trash completely into dumpsters and using the attached clip to secure the lid after disposal
- Never leave trash outside a dumpster, in your garage or in car; this includes recyclables or compost containers
- Walk your pets on leash and be vigilant during early morning and evening hours
- If you see wildlife in your area, do not approach, back up slowly, and leave at least 300 ft of space between you and the animal
- Practice “Leave No Trace”, by planning your time outside ahead, pack in and pack out, and leave only footprints behind
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What is the Board Doing Now?
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At the July meeting, the Board recognized General Manager and Volunteer Fire Chief Rick Ansel for more than two decades of service. The District is very grateful for his contributions. Progress was made in the next steps for the future KVFD Fire Chief. It was determined to continue working with Alpine County to further support the search.
We encourage the community to watch the recent meeting at kmpud.com and read the Board packet. Look for communications from KMPUD on next steps to address the critical issues around KVFD.
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Kirkwood is your District and your input and participation are valuable. Click here to view the Community Calendar of upcoming Board and Committee meetings. We encourage your participation at our meetings. Click here to learn about the agenda. And click here to access past Board of Directors meetings.
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