SILVERADO CANYON : Station Getting Back to Normal After Fire

It’s been more than six weeks since Silverado Canyon’s fire station was badly damaged by flames.

Though the charred debris remains, firefighters housed in a large tent next door showed last week that operations are returning to normal.

Rains raised danger signs in the tightknit mountain community, where five residents died during the devastating floods and mudslides of 1969.

On the CB radio Thursday evening, members of the volunteer fire department put out the word that help was needed filling sandbags.

“Within five minutes, ten of us were up there,” said Pastor Bob Schrowe of the Silverado Community Church. “It was a feeling of togetherness . . . that things were back” to normal.

Firefighters responded a few weeks ago to their first major call since the station burned, and residents said the station is now back to full strength.

Security guards man the station telephone 24 hours a day, Schrowe said.

The late November fire caused $750,000 in damage. A new station could be completed as soon as April.

Residents hope to raise enough money to replace the personal items such as flashlights and tote bags lost in the blaze.

A local market has been collecting donations, and on Feb. 13, the community will hold a chili cook-off to benefit the fire station.

The event will be at the Silverado Community Church on Silverado Canyon Road.

The chili-tasting contest begins at 6 p.m. Chili, salad and corn bread will be served at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $2.50 per person. For more information, call (714) 649-2636.