Supervisors report push to expand Firewise communities, countywide inspection program

Supervisors at the Lake County Board of Supervisors weekly reports described new and ongoing community fire-safety efforts, including town halls on Firewise communities, a property review/inspection program offered by the Lake County Fire Protection District, and planning for an umbrella Fire Safe Council covering multiple communities.

The county’s discussions grew out of a recent Fire Safe Summit in Middletown and follow-up town halls in Lower Lake and other communities. Supervisor (speaker 2) said the summit was well attended and highlighted a new property review inspection program the Lake County Fire Protection District is offering to help residents assess their “defensible space” and home-hardening needs. The supervisor added that the paperwork from that inspection can be used by residents who believe they are not receiving the correct insurance rate, but “not to say that it will help you with your insurance,” reflecting cautious guidance from staff and fire officials.

Why it matters: county supervisors said building local Firewise communities and coordinating across jurisdictions could increase preparedness ahead of wildfire season and help direct scarce risk-reduction resources. Supervisors and community partners described interest from residents in forming neighborhood Firewise groups and a broader, umbrella Fire Safe Council to coordinate those efforts across Lower Lake, Clear Lake and neighboring areas.

Details and planning: Supervisor (speaker 2) thanked several local leaders involved in organizing the events, including Mayor Kramer, City Manager Alan Flora, Autumn Lancaster (fire marshal, Lake County Fire Protection District), Chief Cepeda, and Teresa Harberth, president of the Lower Lake Community Action Agency, saying those partners helped bring in “activity and interests so that we can get going.” Supervisors also reported follow-up steps: more town halls are planned, and organizers intend to use a scheduling poll to set the next meeting date. One supervisor noted the county will continue to develop a Fire Safe Council umbrella to help coordinate the creation of neighborhood Firewise communities.

Background and context: supervisors referenced recent local workshops such as a Kenoctet/Kenocta (transcript spelling variations) Fire Safe Council summit that drew Cal Fire and state and local Office of Emergency Services representatives. Separate local meetings — including tree-mortality task force and risk-reduction authority gatherings — were mentioned as part of a cluster of wildfire-risk activities across the county.

Community reaction and next steps: supervisors said the meetings drew strong public interest and that officials plan more outreach and field work tied to home-hardening and tank-fill projects. A supervisor noted a home-hardening program had completed its twentieth house and that a related field visit was planned. County staff and partners will continue to schedule town halls and coordinate technical assistance for neighborhoods seeking Firewise designation.

Ending: Supervisors framed the work as early-stage but active: multiple town halls, inspections and partner meetings are set to continue, with the goal of helping residents and jurisdictions reduce wildfire risk ahead of future fire seasons.