"Council Quarterly" is a regular column by Statewide Fire Safe Council Chairman Bruce Turbeville

Past Articles

Fire Safe Council 2002 New Year's Resolution

Last year proved to be a huge success for the Fire Safe Council and its many local councils throughout the state. Undoubtedly the most exciting milestone was the funding of $3.8 million from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to support community fire prevention projects in the wildland/urban interface. Of the 151 grant applications submitted, 101 were approved for funding, many of which were submitted by local FSCs for capacity building, hazard fuel reduction projects, and information and public education.

Making California fire safe takes work and commitment. These words mark our focus in 2002. Now that many local FSCs throughout the state have funds to work with, we will be able to accomplish more than ever in our quest to make California fire safe. For the councils that did not receive funding in the first round, a new round of funding is now available! Be sure to implement and submit your projects on time to increase funding of future projects. By combining our expertise and resources, we can make 2002 a great year!

If you have any questions or comments regarding the Fire Safe Council or the Web site, please contact the council at firesafe@mslpr.com.

Congratulations on a successful Wildfire Awareness Week 2001 campaign! The combined efforts of local FSCs and CDF Units reached more than 6,500,000 Californians with fire safe messages encouraging defensible space clearance in preparation for this fire season. Though the Wildfire Awareness Week outreach was successful, it is critical that local councils continue to encourage their constituents to do defensible space clearance. All predictors indicate this will be an unusually active fire season - especially since California is experiencing "the big three": hot, dry and windy weather conditions. Please remind your membership to talk to their neighbors about preparing their homes and property throughout fire season!

As you all know by now, the Fire Safe Council has reached an exciting milestone with the funding of $3.8 million from the Bureau of Land Management to support community fire prevention projects in the urban/wildland interface. We will continue to keep you apprised of our progress as we finalize details of the grant application process.

Another exciting development under way is the first statewide Fire Safe Council Forum that will be held in conjunction with California's 2001 Wildfire Conference and Public Events commemorating the 1991 Tunnel Fire. The Fire Safe Council Forum is designed to facilitate networking and information sharing among local Fire Safe Councils. The Forum will be held on October 11 at the Scottish Rite Center in Oakland - keep an eye out for the information packet you will receive by mail.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the Fire Safe Council or the Web site, please contact the council at firesafe@mslpr.com.

"All highly successful programs begin at the community level."

Welcome to the Fire Safe Council web site.

The Fire Safe Council, in conjunction with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, recently completed a successful Wildfire Awareness Week (WAW) 2000 "Spring Cleaning" public awareness campaign. WAW 2000, held May 14-20, was designed to encourage Californians to clear defensible space in preparation for the upcoming fire season.

As the cornerstone of this year's campaign, we worked with media to share specific defensible space techniques with people throughout the state. Elements of the WAW 2000 media package, all of which are posted on this web site, include a proclamation from Governor Davis declaring May 14-20 Wildfire Awareness Week in California, news release, Homeowner "Spring Cleaning" Checklist, and radio public service announcement.

WAW 2000 helped educate millions of Californians statewide. Coverage secured during WAW 2000 included such top media outlets as the San Francisco Chronicle, Orange County Register, Fresno Bee, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, San Bernardino County Sun, Pasadena Star News and the North County Times in San Diego.

The Associated Press and daily and weekly newspapers in smaller communities took the life-saving information to wildland-urban interface areas throughout the state. Thank you to all councils and others who participated in WAW 2000.