The Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council which covers an area that stretches from the North Auburn community of Christian Valleyto Emigrant Gap, has vacancies. This council, like three others in the county, assists local residents and business owners in dealing with the threat of wildfire.
Central
Placer
County
has many communities in and around what is called the wildland/urban interface, where houses and buildings meet wildlands. While this provides many social and lifestyle benefits, the interface also poses risks and creates responsibilities for residents and property owners. The No. 1 risk is wildfire.
The Placer Sierra Council, along with the Foresthill/Iowa Hill Fire Safe Council, the Greater Auburn Fire Safe Council and the North Tahoe Chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council, understand the threat from fire, assist with fuel reduction nominations and educates residents. This educational effort creates an awareness of the dangers of living in the interface and teaches residents and property owners measures that can be taken to ensure safety for themselves and their families, their pets and livestock. These measures also help to ensure that all homes and businesses are defensible and able to survive a wildfire.
"Fire Safe Councils play a key role in keeping wildfires from destroying structures that are located in the wildlife/urban interface," said Supervisor Bruce Kranz, whose 5th District encompasses mostly wildlands. "The councils do an exemplary job in educating the residents and property owners about what they need to do to stay safe."
While the councils work to inform property owners and residents how to be fire safe while living in the interface, they also improve specific areas through fuel reduction projects. The public's participation in the councils is key to community preparedness.
"We have a real need for interested citizens to participate in the Fire Safe Councils," said District 3 Supervisor Jim Holmes. "The councils are a forum for community input and education. Supervisors and the rest of the community appreciate the very important work that council members do."
There are residency requirements to serve on a council and there is an application process. Interested citizens are encouraged to contact Rui Cunha at the Placer County Office of Emergency Services at (530) 886-5300, or George Alves, Fire Mitigation Coordinator, at (916) 408-2775.