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Board proclaims May 2025 Wildfire Community Preparedness Month; CAL FIRE and local partners urge year-round planning
Summary
The board adopted a proclamation declaring May 2025 Wildfire Community Preparedness Month and heard detailed remarks from CAL FIRE and local risk-reduction partners about fuel reduction, mutual threat zones and tribal burning initiatives.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors adopted a proclamation designating May 2025 as Wildfire Community Preparedness Month and heard extended remarks from CAL FIRE, local fire chiefs and risk-reduction partners about year-round wildfire readiness and collaborative mitigation work.
Why it matters: Lake County has faced multiple large wildfires in the past decade. Supervisors and local fire officials emphasized continued fuel reduction, defensible-space practices and partnerships with tribal nations for culturally informed burning and landscape stewardship.
What speakers said: Supervisor Paiske read the proclamation and acknowledged a decade of catastrophic wildfires beginning in 2015. A CAL FIRE representative briefed the board on statewide and local fire activity, noting that in 2024 California burned more than one million acres and that treatment of tens of thousands of acres through fuels projects continues. CAL FIRE also described aircraft and heavy-equipment resources available this season and noted the expansion of Firewise communities and the passage of SB 310, which supports tribal burning partnerships.
Local partnership emphasis: County officials repeated that wildfire readiness is a multi-agency effort, involving county government, tribes, fire departments, nonprofits and utilities. Speakers urged residents to maintain defensible space, post clear addresses and prepare for extended power outages. A public commenter called for more 'boots-on-the-ground' firefighting capacity and urged attention to smoke and air-quality impacts from controlled burns.
Action taken: The board adopted the proclamation by voice vote (recorded as 5-0). The board asked staff to continue collaboration with the Lake County Fire Chiefs Association, Risk Reduction Authority and tribal partners.
Follow-up: Supervisors requested continued monthly updates from wildfire partners and increased public outreach on defensible-space requirements and evacuation planning.
