Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council

09/23/2021

Please join us Thursday, September 23rd, 2021 at 6pm for the monthly council meeting. In-person at Colfax City Hall, 33 West Church St., downtown Colfax next to the theater.

Or join remotely.....

City of Colfax is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
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Bring your thoughts, comments & questions on helping out our community become more fire safe!

09/15/2021

Often times during a wildfire, firefighters have to make quick evaluations of whether or not a structure is defensible. Some things that are looked at are vegetation and its proximity to the structure or outbuildings. When time allows additional work is done to remove material and create a safer environment for them to provide structure protection.

In many cases, homeowners have done a great job with defensible space but miss some basic items that can be critical during a fire.

FIREWOOD
No one wants to handle their winter supply of firewood any more than they have to. In many cases, homes will survive the initial fire front as it passes through only to later have their home ignite because an ember had lodged into a stack of firewood that was stacked near the home. CalFire identifies a 30’ distance around your home and structures as Zone 1. Relocate firewood from Zone 1 during the summer months or cover it with a fire-resistant tarp.

PATIO FURNITURE
If time allows move patio furniture & cushions to a safe location. Embers can land in cushions and ignite. Most cushion materials have fire retardant ratings but still can eventually ignite.

Most importantly maintain that 100’ clearance around your home. This will give firefighters a good chance at protecting your home during a wildfire.

The vision of the Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council is that residents and property owners will plan and take steps so they and their families, and pets and livestock, will be safe during a wildfire, and all homes and businesses in the fire safe council area will be defensible.

09/09/2021

UPDATE on the ... The fire has now spread to 411 acres and containment has grown to 65% because of the work of hand crews and heavy machinery. All evacuation orders have been lifted. The Auburn State Recreation Area remains closed as well as the Old Forest Hill Road from Hwy 49 to Foresthill Road. (source CalFire updated as of 9/8/21 7:16pm)

09/06/2021

The broke out just below the Foresthill Bridge in Auburn yesterday. It has now grown to 300 acres overnight. According to KCRA, around 500 residents in the area were told to evacuate as well as visitors to the Auburn State Recreation Area. No evacuation warnings yet for Foresthill. Residents of Foresthill may need an es**rt in the event they need to go to Auburn with proof of residency when they return. If you live in this area please get prepared to evacuate.

08/25/2021

Join us for our monthly council meeting, Thursday, August 26th at 6pm. The meeting will take place at Colfax City Hall, 33 West Church St. Downtown Colfax. Bring your comments, questions and concerns.

For links to join the meeting remotely and review the agenda for the meeting follow this link

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83246616532?pwd=MWZRZlZTLzVucloxam8vK216RTU4dz09 Meeting ID: 832 4661 6532 Passcode: 546876 Dial by your location +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 832 4661 6532 Passcode: 546876

08/17/2021

The in has tripled in size overnight and has now burned over 6500 acres. Evacuations are now in effect for several areas near Grizzly Flat. Other areas under evacuation orders and evacuation centers can be found at https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/8/14/caldor-fire/

Conditions are not expected to improve throughout the day due in part to winds picking up.

This fire and the Dixie fire are causing an increase in smoke for Placer and surrounding counties.

08/16/2021

Did you lose your home in the and live within Colfax city limits? Do you know anyone who suffered loss or damage? The City of Colfax has established a fund to help City residents pay for temporary housing. A maximum benefit of up to $500 is available for those that meet certain requirements.

Please visit the following link for more information and steps to take if you do qualify.

The City of Colfax has established a $10,000 fund to help City residents pay for temporary shelter during the recent mandatory evacuation orders. You may qualify for up to a $500 maximum benefit per household if you meet the following requirements: 1. Your residence is within the red mandatory evacu...

08/13/2021

Lauraine Bacon, from the Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council, met with Council member Cindy Gustafson at the Joint Local Assistance Center to assist residents impacted by the . The event is taking place at the Colfax Elementary School, 24825 Ben Taylor Rd. and continues until 7pm. It will also be open Saturday, August 14th, 10-6pm.

Organizations such as the DMV, tax Dept., housing and social services will be on hand to assist residents.

08/13/2021

Placer & Nevada Counties are hosting a Joint Local Assistance Center to support residents impacted by the . The Center will be open at , 24825 Ben Taylor Road, Colfax on Friday, August 13th from 10am-7pm and Saturday, August 14th from 10am-6pm.

Typical offerings include essential document replacement, property tax adjustments, housing and social services, grief counseling and initial building services consultations, among others. Representatives from community support nonprofits, state agencies and both counties are expected to be available.

With most mandatory evacuations now lifted for the River Fire, Placer and Nevada counties will continue their support for impacted residents with a joint local assistance center - a one-stop-shop for recovery and rebuilding information and resources.  

08/12/2021

Supervisor Cindy Gustafson toured the devasted areas caused by the in with CalFire including the ignition point at the campground. She and others on the tour got to see areas where homes were lost and homes that were saved.

"We got to see great examples of the houses that were saved some of those that are built with newer standards as well as those with adequate and how effective that can be in these situations. In some situations, there was nothing that could be done, but in others, it really did save those homes."
https://fb.watch/7kUAduS_Lu/

08/11/2021

A community meeting was held on August 8th in Colfax regarding the with representatives from CALFIRE, Placer County Sheriff's Office, Placer County Government, Placer County Services, and The City of Colfax. Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council members Sean Lomen and Lauraine Bacon were on hand to speak with community members and share their insights. covered the meeting and spoke with Lauraine Bacon about the fire.
This meeting was live-streamed on the Cal Fire NEU page. View the entire meeting at this link https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=270290651134533&ref=search

On Sunday, community members gathered in Colfax to get an update from officials about next steps as containment efforts continue on the River Fire. The meet...

08/07/2021

Residents are invited to a community meeting where representatives from various agencies will present updated information regarding the . Scheduled to appear: CALFIRE/Placer County Fire Department, Placer County Sheriff's Office, Placer County Government, Placer County Services, and The City of Colfax.
This meeting will also be live-streamed on the Cal Fire NEU page.

Saturday, August 7th, 2021 at 5pm
Sierra Vista Community Center
55 School St., Colfax