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Chief Administrative Office, Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience, with sponsorship by Supervisors Thomas and Laine, recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign a Proclamation recognizing the period of May through October 2024 as Wildfire Awareness Season.
FUNDING: N/A
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On April 11, 2024, the Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience (OWPR) received a request for the Board to adopt a proclamation recognizing May through October 2024 as the Lake Tahoe Wildfire Awareness Campaign, a multi-agency educational effort in the Tahoe Basin. Upon further review and in alignment with the mission to create a fire adapted and resilient El Dorado County, staff are recommending the Board consider adopting the proposed proclamation that recognizes the period of May through October 2024 as Wildfire Awareness Season at a Countywide level.
Wildfires continue to increase in size and severity, and significantly impact the environmental, economic, and social well-being of El Dorado County and its residents as evidenced by the Mosquito, Caldor, and King Fires in recent years.
State and local fire agencies, partner agencies and organizations, and the County recognize the importance of increasing public education and continue to develop outreach efforts, messaging, and campaigns to spread awareness of the risk of wildfire here within our County and the efforts our residents can take to prepare for wildfire. Through proper defensible space, appropriate home hardening, and other activities to avoid that reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires, residents can take meaningful steps to help mitigate this risk while also protecting their homes, communities, and the greater El Dorado County.
With the Board’s approval of this proclamation recognizing the period of May through October 2024 as Wildfire Awareness Season, and in conjunction with the Tahoe Basin’s Lake Tahoe Wildfire Awareness Campaign, the County can further join in this coordinated education effort and also recognize the significant progress that has been made to date in the wake of these fires and the work that is still needed in order to become a more wildfire resilient and prepared County.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to approve this proclamation.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
The Board has previously approved the following Wildfire Awareness Proclamations
• June 29, 2010 (File No. 10-0569) - Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Awareness Week
• May 17, 2011 (File No. 11-0429) - Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Awareness Week
• May 22, 2012 (File No. 12-0350 V2) - Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Awareness Week
• April 23, 2013 (File No. 12-0350 V3) - Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Awareness Week
• May 13, 2014 (File No. 14-0673) - Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Awareness Week
• May 9, 2017 (File No. 17-0487) - Wildfire Awareness Month
• May 15, 2018 (File No. 18-0721) - Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Awareness Month
• May 14, 2019 (File No. 19-0666) - Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Awareness Month
• May 4, 2021 (File No. 21-0694) - Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Awareness Campaign
• May 4, 2021 (File No. 21-0726) - Wildfire Awareness Month
• April 19, 2022 (File No. 22-0698) - Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Awareness Campaign
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Supervisors Thomas and Laine are sponsoring this Wildfire Awareness Proclamation
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain the Chair’s signature on the Proclamation and forward a copy of the signed Proclamation to OWPR, attention Tom Meyer.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Tom Meyer, Program Manager
Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience