Community members are invited to attend an open house at the Saratoga Fire Station on Aug. 3 to celebrate the demolition of the 80-year-old structure and the construction of a new, 14,000-square-foot facility. The new two-story building will include nine bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining area and a day room designed to hold meetings and training sessions. In addition, the front of the new building will be pushed back approximately 47 feet from the street, and the side facing Saratoga­Los Gatos Road will be set back 15 feet to allow space for a new right-turn lane.

Firefighters and staff have completed their move into the temporary building at the back of the station. The existing building will be torn down sometime between Aug. 6 and 29 following inspection of the building's asbestos and lead-based paint content.

The event will take place between 1 and 4 p.m. and will feature a variety of activities for guests. The station is located at the corner of Saratoga­Los Gatos Road and Saratoga Avenue. For more information, contact the station at 408.867.9001.


Burning season runs to April

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is expecting the open burning season for range management fires to last through April 2004. Management fires are designed to dispose of unwanted vegetation from public or private open lands where animals such as horses, cattle and sheep are allowed to graze. Fires are only allowed on designated burn days and must be in compliance with the regulations listed in the district's guidelines. To get information on the designated burn days, call the district at 1.800.HELP.AIR. To register complaints about illegal burning, call the district's 24-hour hotline at 1.800.334.ODOR.


Commissions meet to discuss history

The city's planning commission and heritage preservation commission will hold a joint meeting on Aug. 5 to discuss the historical aspects of Saratoga. Items up for discussion will include architectural designs and compliance with the city's guidelines and the historic district. The meeting will be held at the Saratoga Historical Museum on Saratoga­Los Gatos Road at 9 a.m.