El Dorado County supervisors declare May through October 2024 as Wildfire Awareness Season

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - At its regular meeting on May 21, 2024, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors proclaimed the period of May through October 2024 as Wildfire Awareness Season as a call for residents in El Dorado County to prepare for wildfire.

Although late spring rains delayed the typical onset of dry fire-prone conditions, the weather is changing as evidenced by the increase in vegetation fires in the last few weeks.

“It is imperative that residents of El Dorado County be vigilant in preventing human-caused wildfires, as well as preparing their homes and properties to be resistant to the effects of wildfire,” said Board Chair Wendy Thomas. “Home hardening efforts, including installation of ember-resistant vents and fire-resistant siding, when coupled with appropriate defensible space activities, can significantly increase the chances of your home surviving a wildfire.”

In 2023, El Dorado County adopted a Wildfire Strategy that promotes the creation, coordination, and maintenance of fire-adapted communities throughout the County. This includes facilitating information exchange, coordinating wildfire prevention and mitigation activities, and supporting local community organizations through outreach and education efforts in partnership with agencies and non-government organizations.

To learn more about defensible space, home hardening, resources, and other County wildfire resiliency efforts, please visit the El Dorado County, Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience
website at shorturl.at/XeqOa.

PROCLAMATION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF EL DORADO RECOGNIZING THE PERIOD OF MAY - OCTOBER 2024 AS WILDFIRE AWARENESS SEASON

WHEREAS, El Dorado County has experienced large and destructive wildfires,
evidenced by the recent Mosquito, Caldor, and King Fires; and

WHEREAS, wildfire significantly impacts the environmental, economic and social wellbeing of the Lake Tahoe Basin and western El Dorado County; and

WHEREAS, residents should prepare for wildfires by ensuring proper defensible space surrounding their homes and appropriate home-hardening and use of ignition resistance building materials; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative that residents and communities work together to prepare for wildfire and commit to becoming fire adapted; and

WHEREAS, residents should also recognize their role in preventing human-caused wildfires by following burning restrictions and avoiding activities which can cause wildfires; and

WHEREAS, supporting vital fuels reduction projects that complement defensible space and home-hardening help protect communities and provide forest health benefits, including making room for new growth to provide forage for wildlife, recycling nutrients back into the soil, and reducing the spread of insects and disease in forests; and

WHEREAS, El Dorado County has adopted a comprehensive wildfire prevention and preparedness strategy for El Dorado County that fosters the creation, coordination and maintenance of fire adapted communities and is in alignment with federal, state, and local policies, plans and initiatives; and

WHEREAS, El Dorado County has established an Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience which, in coordination with other fire prevention organizations in the county, facilitates information exchange, coordinates wildfire prevention and mitigation planning efforts and supports community organizations, agencies and others engaged in wildfire preparedness and mitigation.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Board of Supervisors of the County of El Dorado declares that the period of May - October 2024 as Wildfire Awareness Season as a means for education and a call for residents of El Dorado County to work together to be ready for wildfire.

Passed by the Board of Supervisors of the County of El Dorado at a regular meeting of said Board, held the 21st day of May , 2024.