Saws & Slaws: Your Neighbors Are Here to Help Protect Our Homes from Wildfire

By: Norval Olson, Saws and Slaws, Inc. Director/Treasurer, Rebecca Fisher, Wildfire Mitigation Coordinator, JCD, CCCFPD CWPP IC, and Leslie Miller, Saws and Slaws, Inc. Board Member

After recent wind storms swept through Coal Creek Canyon, many properties were left with downed trees and scattered debris, adding to an already growing wildfire risk. For many residents, the question now is what to do next.

For Saws & Slaws, this kind of moment is exactly why the organization exists.

Founded in 2011 by canyon resident and volunteer firefighter Cesar Gellido, Saws & Slaws brings neighbors together to take on wildfire mitigation work, then gather afterward to share a meal. The name reflects the model: “saws” for the hands on forest work, and “slaws” for the potluck that follows.

Over the years, the group has helped connect community members across Coal Creek Canyon and other mountain areas, turning what can feel like overwhelming work into something collaborative and social. Instead of tackling mitigation alone, residents work side by side to clear hazardous fuels and improve forest health, building stronger connections in the process.

A typical Saws & Slaws event brings together several neighboring properties for a morning of cutting and clearing, followed by a shared meal hosted at one of the homes. The focus is on teamwork, safety, and making steady progress on projects that might otherwise take much longer to complete.

With the recent storms increasing the amount of downed material on the ground, the need for this kind of work is especially timely. Clearing debris not only helps restore access and usability on properties, but also reduces wildfire risk as warmer, drier conditions approach.

Saws & Slaws is currently looking to build back an active group of volunteers and host more work parties in the canyon. Community members do not need to be chainsaw experts to get involved. There are many ways to help. For those interested in running a saw, professional training is required for safety’s sake. S&S is currently looking at chainsaw training for this spring or early summer. All volunteers are required to have basic personal protective equipment, including a hard hat, gloves, and eye and ear protection.

The organization typically works directly with homeowners to plan events. Projects often involve several neighboring properties working together, with trees identified for removal ahead of time and a shared plan for slash disposal and safety. Smaller, single property projects may also be possible.

At its core, Saws & Slaws is about more than mitigation work. It is about neighbors showing up for one another, sharing knowledge, and taking collective action to protect their homes and the surrounding forest.

As the canyon continues to recover from recent storms and prepare for the seasons ahead, Saws & Slaws offers a way for residents to take that next step together.

To learn more, request help, or sign up to volunteer, visit sawsandslaws.org or email sawsandslaws@gmail.com.