Placer residents invest in preparedness ahead of coming wildfire season

Published April 28, 2022

Communities are coming together throughout Placer County in May to reduce their risk of wildfire with a series of events for National Wildfire Awareness Month.

Planned activities include defensible space work, hazardous vegetation removal and town hall discussions of emergency and evacuation preparedness with Placer’s public safety agencies and community leaders. 

Wildfire preparedness and community resiliency remain top priorities for Placer County, partner public agencies and residents. 

This month, CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer unit secured a nearly $1 million grant to expand efforts to clear winter storm debris from access and egress routes and prioritized evacuation routes across impacted parts of Placer County. The Placer County Board of Supervisors has increased funding for the county chipper program to help residents with defensible space work on their properties. And Placer County again this year ranks second in the state for the number of Firewise USA-recognized communities with 70 sites - a more than 10% increase since March 2021. 

The Firewise USA program provides a collaborative framework for neighbors to reduce wildfire risks in their communities. It is designed to empower and engage residents living in wildfire-prone areas to develop a plan and take actions that can increase their home’s chances of surviving a wildfire, while also making it safer for firefighters and first responders.

For more information or assistance in forming a neighborhood Firewise community, residents can contact the Placer County Firewise Program coordinator at 530-886-3473 or fireready@placer.ca.gov. 

The following events have been confirmed and new events will be publicized as they’re scheduled:

Foresthill Wildfire Community Preparedness Day
Saturday, May 7; 9 a.m. - noon
Leroy E. Botts Memorial Park; 24601 Harrison Street, Foresthill
Organized by the Foresthill Fire Safe Council with support from the Foresthill Fire Protection District, residents are invited to learn about wildfire preparedness, Firewise communities and what they can do to provide additional wildfire safety around their residences.  

Eastern Placer County Town Hall Meeting with Supervisor Gustafson
Monday, May 9; 5:30 p.m.
Virtual and in-person at the North Tahoe Event Center; 8318 N Lake Blvd., Kings Beach
Among the agenda items for this joint meeting of the North Tahoe Regional, Olympic Valley and Donner Summit municipal advisory councils is an informational item on emergency evacuation plans from the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.

Alta Wildfire Community Preparedness Day
Saturday, May 14; 9 a.m. - noon 
Alta Fire Protection District parking lot; 33950 Alta Bonny Nook Road, Alta
Organized by the Alta Fire Protection District, residents are invited to learn about wildfire preparedness, Firewise communities and what they can do to provide additional wildfire safety around their residences.

Western District 5 Wildfire Preparedness Town Hall with Supervisor Gustafson
Tuesday, May 24; 5:30 p.m.
Virtual and in-person at the Placer County Government Center; Planning Commission Hearing Room, 3091 County Center Drive, Auburn
Residents of western District 5 (including Auburn, Foresthill and Colfax) are invited to this town hall discussion focused on wildfire prevention and preparedness with local public safety agencies.

The Foresthill Transfer Station will also be open an extra day each week - every Tuesday in May -  for green waste drop off. Details: 
When:   8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed for lunch)  
Where:  Foresthill Transfer Station
What:    Green waste only (including log rounds up to 12 inches). No food, pet or construction waste and no dirt, sod or rocks. Customers must bring proof of residency, tarp over and under the load and empty their own load. For questions call Recology at 530-885-3735.