What's Your Game Plan?
Last year, the Sears Fire burned in the Tonto National Forest just miles northeast of Sincuidados. More than 14,500 acres burned in over one week, destroying four homes as well as several structures and vehicles. This one was just a little too close for comfort for our community.

Record numbers of wildfires have destroyed millions of acres in California, Oregon, and Washington state in 2020. This year is expected to be another extreme fire risk. Disaster often happens because people don’t know how to evacuate or couldn’t evacuate.

Preparing for a wildfire requires you to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family and your property. Through advance planning and preparation, we can all be ready for a wildfire.   

Prepare a Wildfire Action Plan for all members of your household well in advance of a fire. Once your plan is complete, be sure to rehearse it and keep it in a safe place for quick implementation. The following is a condensed version of the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association Wildfire Action Plan. We hope you find this helpful in creating heightened awareness about preparing your family to evacuate in the case of a fast moving fire.
Get Ready – Prepare Your Family

Prepare your family with the following checklist:

  • Create a plan that includes meeting locations and communication plans, including the evacuation of pets.
  • Have fire extinguishers on hand and train everyone to use them.
  • Ensure everyone knows where your gas, electric and water main shut-off controls are and how to use them.
  • Plan multiple evacuation routes from the community and surrounding neighborhood.
  • Assemble an emergency supply kit, including phone chargers and emergency contact numbers.
  • Keep an extra emergency supply kit in your car in case you can’t get into your home because of fire.

Get Set – As the Fire Approaches

  • Evacuate early as soon as you are set.
  • Alert family and neighbors of your plans.
  • Ensure you have your emergency supply kit.
  • Shut all windows and doors.
  • Remove flammable window coverings.
  • Shut off the gas and turn off pilot lights.
  • Leave your lights on to assist firefighters.
  • Shut off the air conditioning.
  • Turn off irrigation to preserve water pressure for fire fighters.
  • Wear natural fibers with long sleeves and long pants. Have goggles and a bandanna or mask available for all family members.
  • Keep all pets in one room for quick evacuation, with identification collars and leashes available.

Go! – Evacuate early!

Leave early enough to avoid getting stuck in traffic congestion. Do not hesitate! Go to a predetermined location in a low risk area. Predetermine multiple travel routes in case one is blocked by fire or congestion. Take your emergency supply kit and pets.

It is never too early to plan your wildfire evacuation plan. Making last minute decisions can create confusion and lead to tragedy. It is not just about getting out but getting out early enough. Remember - be Firewise! More information can be found on the City of Scottsdale’s website located at: https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/fire/wild-fire-prevention.
Board Appoints New Director
The HOA Board of Directors appointed Michael Knapp to fill a vacant director's seat after Fred Stallone resigned.

Michael and his wife Regina are 20-year residents of Sincuidados. He also is taking on the role of Design Review Committee Chairperson for the remainder of Fred Stallone's term. This will be Michael's second stint on the Design Review Committee, previously serving nearly 15 years ago. He brings more than 40 years of experience as a senior executive and consultant in the commercial and industrial construction industries. His experience includes environmental, electrical, mechanical, structural and other aspects of construction. He strongly believes that Sincuidados is the premier community in North Scottsdale and that Sincuidados has done a fabulous job integrating beautiful homes into the natural Sonoran Desert environment. His goal is to continue to enhance our community to make it an even more wonderful place in which to live.
Michael Knapp's goal is to continue to enhance our community to make it an even more wonderful place in which to live.
Fred Stallone said, "Recently, we decided to relocate back to the East Coast. Our house sold in two days and the race was on to get ready to move. Unfortunately, this necessitated my resigning from the Board and DRC. We will miss the beauty of Sincuidados. I hope it will always remain a beautiful oasis in North Scottsdale."
Fred Stallone shared the following with The Sincuidados Scoop:

"My wife Doreen and I moved to Sincuidados eight years ago. About five years ago, when I heard a position on the DRC became open, I applied and got the position. I have always felt that the homeowner’s association job was to work constructively with the residents to achieve a solution. I have been fortunate to work with extremely dedicated, like-thinking committee members. 

A year and a half ago, I was elected to the Board and became the DRC Chairperson. We hired a new architect and rewrote the Design Review Guidelines to improve some of the application processes. As a group, we strived to make architectural and paint requests as painless as possible. I hope you felt we did a good job."
Working Out On The Weekend
Sincuidados' landscaping company SDL works on the FireWise clean-up along Lone Mountain Road. The company plans to continue working each Saturday until finishing the project.

The Scottsdale Fire Department has discussed possibly assisting with similar work on Pima Road.
Trouble With The Tracks
This is a friendly reminder that Sincuidados Lone Mountain Preserve prohibits bicycles, scooters, skateboards, motorcycles or vehicles of any type unless allowed by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Update - Cutting The Cost For Cox Cable
in Sincuidados
In an upcoming edition of The Sincuidados Scoop, please look out for a survey asking for your feedback about the five-year agreement the Sincuidaos HOA signed with Cox Communications. The agreement allows homeowners to receive free basic cable, a free Contour 2 HD Receiver and four free Mini Boxes. Along with the survey, we will share good news about the agreement's revenue-sharing plan for Sincuidados. The new agreement became effective October 27, 2020 and includes an exit clause at the end of the first year. Prior to the one-year exit clause, the survey will attempt to learn if homeowners value the service and want to continue it. Please click here to learn more about the survey.
Update - NAOS - Land Of Confusion?
Because some homeowners continue to clear our community's Natural Area Open Space (NAOS), which is designed to preserve the desert in its natural state, we are re-sharing common questions and answers about this topic. Please click here.
She's A Beauty!
Sincuidados resident Luna, a Lagotto Romagnolo, takes a break from walking and strikes a pose outside the clubhouse.
Please pick up after your pets.
Please obey our speed limits.
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Have an idea for The Sincuidados Scoop? Please contact Keith Yaskin.