The Mendocino County Fire Safe Council Needs Your Help

By Thembi Borras

Fall is here and many of you are switching gears preparing for the winter ahead. However, despite the cooler weather, we are not beyond the fire season. In fact, this is the worst time of year for fire because the vegetation has been drying out since the spring and until we get a good soaking, we are not out of the woods. Memorable fires that started in the latter part of October include the Oakland Hills Fire of October 20, 1991, in which 25 people died and almost 3,000 homes were burned and the Southern California Firestorm of 2003, which began on October 25, in which 22 people died and 4,000 homes were burned.

In January 2004, three months after the Southern California Firestorm, 90 Mendocino County residents gathered to express their concerns about wildfire. Attendees waved both hands and money in the air to support founding a countywide Fire Safe Council.

Nearly three years old, the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council is now a recognized, effective, and efficient fire safety organization ready to tackle the projects laid out in the recently completed countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), which can be viewed on the web at www.fire.ca.gov/FireEmergencyResponse/FirePlan/pdf/Mendocino.pdf. But because expected funds were diverted elsewhere they lack the financial resources to implement those projects sooner than later. Projects awaiting funds include (1) the development of local chipper programs; (2) wildfire education, including for children, new residents, and absentee landowners and (3) improved address signs because every year lives and property are lost when emergency responders can't find the locations.

The Allen-Heath Memorial Foundation, a charitable family foundation, has pledged $20,000 for the Fire Safe Council's projects in 2007. The foundation is challenging local residents and businesses to match that amount.

Approximately 70% of County residents live in the wildland/urban interface, areas that are at very high risk of wildfires. The task of educating the County’s residents and protecting its 3,500 square miles will take your help. To lend your support, send your donation to POB 1488, Ukiah, CA 95482. If you'd like to become involved in local fire safety activities, contact the council at 462-3662 or firesafe@pacific.net.