Placer County California

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Kranz pushes for strengthening wildfire safety measures

By: Gus Thomson, Journal Staff Writer

Eastern Placer County Supervisor Bruce Kranz told supervisors Tuesday that he'll be advocating increased wildfire safety measures in Placer County that include creation of a new county fire warden position.

Speaking during a presentation by county Office of Emergency Services and CalFire officials on the Aug. 18 Washoe Fire that destroyed five homes and burned 20 acres just south of Tahoe City, Kranz said the fire warden would work with the fire districts and other local government departments on defensible space issues to settle issues over differing requirements.

The Washoe Fire followed the Angora Fire last month in El Dorado County that burned 3,100 acres and destroyed 254 homes.

"It could have been a much bigger disaster," Supervisor Jim Holmes said. Holmes, who inspected the fire site last week, said that work in some areas to chip low-lying forest fuels kept the fire from spreading into higher trees.

Supervisors took no action after Tuesday's report. Rui Cunha, emergency services program manager, said that the evacuation of nearby residents was on a similar scale to the Angora Fire, with establishment of an emergency shelter and operations center.

Like Holmes, Cunha said the fire could have been much worse than it ended up being.

Chief Brad Harris of Placer County Fire-CalFire, said that fire conditions continue to be potentially disastrous, with moisture levels in fuels at 9.3 percent. Moisture levels in dry kiln lumber average 12 percent, he said.

In other board business:

Supervisors approved recommendations from District Three Supervisor Holmes and District Five Supervisor Kranz for appointments to the county Planning Commission. Kranz's appointment to replace ousted commissioner Michelle Ollar Burris is Laurence Farinha, president of Aero-West Engineering Construction. The board accepted Farinha's resignation from the North Auburn Municipal Advisory Committee to take on the new post.

Former Foresthill Ranger District Chief Ranger Rich Johnson was approved as District Three planning commissioner. An Auburn resident, Johnson has served on the agricultural commission and Placer County Visitor Council since 1991. Johnson succeeds Jim Forman.

The Journal's Gus Thomson can be reached at gust@goldcountrymedia.com, or post a comment online at auburnjournal.com.

Home > Board of Supervisors > District 5 > Bruce In The News > > August 29, 2007 - Auburn Journal - Kranz pushes for strengthening wildfire safety measures
	Wednesday, August 29, 2007 Kranz pushes for strengthening wildfire safety measures By: Gus Thomson, Journal Staff Writer Eastern Placer County Supervisor Bruce Kranz told supervisors Tuesday that he'll be advocating increased wildfire safety measures in Placer County that include creation of a new county fire warden position. Speaking during a presentation by county Office of Emergency Services and CalFire officials on the Aug. 18 Washoe Fire that destroyed five homes and burned 20 acres just south of Tahoe City, Kranz said the fire warden would work with the fire districts and other local government departments on defensible space issues to settle issues over differing requirements. The Washoe Fire followed the Angora Fire last month in El Dorado County that burned 3,100 acres and destroyed 254 homes. "It could have been a much bigger disaster," Supervisor Jim Holmes said. Holmes, who inspected the fire site last week, said that work in some areas to chip low-lying forest fuels kept the fire from spreading into higher trees. Supervisors took no action after Tuesday's report. Rui Cunha, emergency services program manager, said that the evacuation of nearby residents was on a similar scale to the Angora Fire, with establishment of an emergency shelter and operations center. Like Holmes, Cunha said the fire could have been much worse than it ended up being. Chief Brad Harris of Placer County Fire-CalFire, said that fire conditions continue to be potentially disastrous, with moisture levels in fuels at 9.3 percent. Moisture levels in dry kiln lumber average 12 percent, he said. In other board business: Supervisors approved recommendations from District Three Supervisor Holmes and District Five Supervisor Kranz for appointments to the county Planning Commission. Kranz's appointment to replace ousted commissioner Michelle Ollar Burris is Laurence Farinha, president of Aero-West Engineering Construction. The board accepted Farinha's resignation from the North Auburn Municipal Advisory Committee to take on the new post. Former Foresthill Ranger District Chief Ranger Rich Johnson was approved as District Three planning commissioner. An Auburn resident, Johnson has served on the agricultural commission and Placer County Visitor Council since 1991. Johnson succeeds Jim Forman. The Journal's Gus Thomson can be reached at gust@goldcountrymedia.com, or post a comment online at auburnjournal.com.