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Project Roomkey a success in EDC, officials say Dylan Svoboda Staff writer
Democrat photos by Dawn Hodson
Volunteer fire spotter Mike Davis uses what’s called a fire finder to pinpoint the magnetic heading of a potential fire. He then uses a walkie-talkie to communicate those coordinates to Cal Fire’s Camino command headquarters.
On the lookout at
Pilot Peak
Dawn Hodson Staff writer
The three other lookouts are located at Mt. Danaher in ith Camino, Pine Hill summer near Rescue and Mt. and Zion in Pine Grove. the fire season well “Chief Scott underway, residents Lindgren is dedicated can rest easier to bringing these back knowing watchful because he thought eyes are being cast it better to renovate in every direction for them and staff them the slightest sign of with volunteers from smoke. the community,” Logtown resident said Swart. “Human Mike Davis at least eyes are better than once a week takes a camera and can a six-hour shift Restored and renovated, the Pilot Peak lookout stands ready for volunteers to get distinguish between volunteering at the a dust storm and the an early fix on wildfires or home fires. Pilot Peak lookout smoke from a fire, direction. tower in Pilot Hill to or whether smoke is from wood or a The Pilot Peak lookout wasn’t always house fire.” keep an eye out for fires on everyone’s staffed by people. In the late 1990s the behalf. The goal is to keep fires to 10 acres tower, along with three others in the or less; smaller fires require fewer The tower’s tale unit, went out of service and remained resources. Located at an elevation of 1,869 feet, unoccupied as a cost-saving measure. “Once a fire explodes to 1,000 or the three-story tower was originally Instead cameras were installed to 1,500 acres you have dozens and built in 1958 as part of the Folsom keep watch for fires. Over time the dozens of firefighters so the smaller Dam Project. In 1965 it was deeded Pilot Peak lookout fell into disrepair, we can keep the fire, the fewer over to the state. especially after a storm blew off the resources are needed to fight it,” Swart But long before the tower existed roof and it sustained substantial water explained. a bonfire would be lit on the peak to damage. “We want that first initial response help Gold-Rush-era travelers navigate The new Cal Fire Amador-El to be a strong one.” to and from Sacramento. Dorado Unit chief decided to bring To get the tower on Pilot Hill Now, instead of lighting fires, all four lookout towers back into use back in shape, last year repairs and volunteers watch for them from the and incorporate the human element renovations included adding a new top of the tower where they take in a into spotting fires, according to Diana roof, flooring and plumbing, fixing up breath-taking vista and 360-degree Swart, Cal Fire public information n See Pilot Peak, page A2 view nearly 100 miles in every officer.
W
A statewide program aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 among the homeless population has made strides in El Dorado County. Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the county has housed approximately 40 homeless individuals in a Pollock Pines and South Lake Tahoe hotel under Project Roomkey, a collaborative government program seeking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among those living on the streets. The temporary program has the potential to be the foundation for future local homeless programs in the county, according to Dr. Martin Entwhistle, a member of the county’s COVID-19 homeless community response team. “We’re gaining a lot of experience about this process that I think will be useful for a larger, future strategy around managing the homeless,” he said. “… I think this could be the basis of a program that could be migrated, even at a small scale.” The program is set to run through July, with a chance for extension through August, according to Entwistle. Currently, 22 rooms are being used at the full-capacity Econo Lodge in South Lake Tahoe and 20 rooms are being used at the Best Western Stagecoach Inn in Pollock Pines. The reopening of the economy poses a particularly risky threat to those living on the streets, Entwhistle said. That, along with a recent uptick in coronavirus cases locally, has county officials working diligently with the homeless. “We’re all holding our breath about the increase in activity and the risk that represents for the homeless population,” he said. “We’re very mindful of that, so we’re still focused on maintaining infection control among (the homeless).” With eight new cases reported Thursday, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in El Dorado County is up to 206. The number of known, active cases jumped from 56 to 78 since last Monday. The county has focused on sheltering and providing services for those at the highest risk of suffering from the coronavirus, which includes the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Entwhistle said no homeless individuals have been hospitalized with coronavirus so far. The county is providing the folks at the motels medical services through physicians at Marshall Hospital, help in securing medical coverage, future n
See Project Roomkey, page A2
New coworking space trying to find momentum Dylan Svoboda Staff writer Amid coronavirus bedlam, downtown Placerville gained a new coworking space in a historical Main Street building. Now, the enterprise is facing a short-lived existence as the COVID-19 pandemic threatens its economic livelihood and nature of its business model. Located in The Courtyard building at 550 Main St., Courtyard Coworking opened April 1 and has struggled to maintain clientele ever since. Owner Adam Paine, who also runs NUBRAND, a local digital marketing agency, said he’s “about 99% sure” July will be the company’s final month. Paine’s flexible workplace area provides freelancers, students and remote workers, among others, a low-cost alternative to private office space, but the new, COVID-19 reality hasn’t been friendly to the entrepreneur’s latest business
venture. “People are obviously really worried about working in confined spaces,” he said. “And it’s not like members would share areas with family or friends — coworking spaces require you to share office space with people you may not know personally.” The company is adjusting for the COVID-19 era by providing 6 feet of space between members, hand sanitizer, temporal thermometer, regularly sanitized desks and plexiglass protection shields in front of desks, according to Paine. But that hasn’t been enough. Paine said Courtyard Coworking topped out at three members — far from the number needed to cover his expenses. And with coronavirus numbers ticking up once again, Paine said closure is likely around the corner. Democrat photo by Dylan Svoboda Courtyard Coworking owner Adam Paine said there’s a strong chance “I just can’t keep paying rent on a place his newest business venture will close its doors for good if a surge in n See Coworking, page A2 membership doesn’t emerge over the next month.
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