The California wildfire season is off to an explosive start.
Cal Fire reports that more than 6,000 fires have burned hundreds of thousands of acres throughout our state including the massive LNU Complex Lightning fire in nearby Vacaville, which is forcing widespread evacuations and destroying dozens of homes.
Marin has experienced a number of fires caused by lightning including the large Woodward Fire in Point Reyes National Seashore. We must all take steps to better prepare ourselves for what looks to be another catastrophic fire season.
The new Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority, created with the passage of Measure C, has several programs being executed to help Marin residents prepare for and prevent wildfires. More local safety programs and strategies will continue to be developed and advanced in the coming weeks and months.
The MWPA has invested nearly $4 million dollars in a defensible space and home hardening inspection program. Wildfire mitigation specialists are educating residents about fire-smart landscaping and making recommendations for hardening homes to resist wildfire.
Homeowners are being advised to remove hazards within the first five feet of the home, the area most vulnerable to the embers showers created during wildland fires; properly maintain grasses, plants and shrubs; prune trees; install safer vent and gutter screens and keep roofs clear of flammable material.
The MWPA has provided an additional $3.8 million in funding for locally determined mitigation projects. Examples of these projects include: hazardous vegetation removal on public lands, evacuation route improvements, grants to residents for home hardening and fire-smart landscaping projects, ignition reduction and other fire safety projects consistent with the mission and purpose of the MWPA.
The authority has allocated $500,000 for a curbside pickup chipper program targeting Marin’s 70 Firewise sites and other areas as determined by local agencies. More than 3,000 cubic yards of material was picked up and disposed of in the first month of the program. The MWPA will soon be soliciting proposals for a $1 million evacuation route study targeting all of Marin.
The MWPA is proud to partner with the newly formed Ecologically Sound Practices Partnership, a coalition of over 70 Marin County environmental, climate and fire professionals. The goal of the partnership is to develop and implement ecologically sound best practices for vegetation management, carbon resource management and defensible space management activities. MWPA is committed to providing agencies the technical expertise to ensure California Environmental Quality Act compliance as well as developing guides and best practices to ensure projects move forward recognizing the ecological value throughout Marin.
Public education is a critical component of wildfire prevention and preparedness. The MWPA has provided funding to create several public education projects to be carried out by the nonprofit Firesafe Marin (FSM). The centerpiece of this program is a monthly interactive online webinar covering a variety of fire prevention and protection topics for homeowners. Topics include evacuation and warning, fire smart landscaping, home hardening, environmental best practices for homeowners, fire insurance and related subjects. Please subscribe to the FSM newsletter and refer to their website for details at firesafemarin.org. FSM also provides organizational support to Firewise sites. This program is organized around the principle of neighbor helping neighbor to enhance the preparedness and resiliency of local communities.
Each of us also has a personal responsibility for wildfire preparedness. Here are some things you can do right now to better protect yourself and your family:
• Sign up at AlertMarin.org to receive emergency alerts via call, text, email or smartphone.
• Create a wildfire action plan including meeting locations and communications; evacuation routes, an emergency supply kit and portable radio so you can stay updated on the fire.
• Work with the defensible-space inspectors and follow their guidance to create a fire smart landscape and harden your home.
• Go to chipperday.com to register for curbside pickup if the program is available in your area.
• Check out the Firesafe Marin website for extensive information on home preparedness, subscribe to their newsletter and engage in their monthly fire safety webinar.
Being an informed and vigilant community is critically important for Marin. Together, we can become better prepared as we live with the constant threat of wildfire.
Bruce Goines, of Novato, is Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority board president.
