The District 2 office of Supervisor George Turnboo submitted formal letters to all U.S. Senators and U.S. House Representatives from California, outlining the issues and concerns surrounding the Caldor Fire and FEMA Individual Assistance. In response to the formal letter, several congressional members submitted their own formal letter to United States Forest Service Chief Randy Moore for further explanation. In particular, the congressional members highlight the diligent work of the residents of Grizzly Flats in preparation for potential wildfires and contrast that work with the unequal response by USFS in the same region. The letter provides an opportunity for everyone to find out more about what happened.

The letter was signed by congressional members Alex Padilla, Zoe Lofgren, Mark DeSaulnier, Doug LaMalfa, Jimmy Panetta, Mark DeSaulnier, Katie Porter, Mike Thompson, Scott Peters, Tony Cardenas, Salud Carbajal, Jared Huffman, Adam Schiff and Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

Read The Congressional Caldor Fire Letter

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding Alliance for Green Heat with funding to expand firewood banks. Firewood banks, like food banks, provide a local, renewable, and cost-effective heating source for people in need. There are hundreds of firewood banks across the United States that distribute firewood to needy families.

“For many tribal and rural communities across the country, firewood is the primary source of heat. The Alliance for Green Heat and the firewood banks they serve will improve access to renewable wood energy, helping those without access to this life saving resource when they need it the most.”

 - Randy Moore (U.S. Forest Service Chief)

In El Dorado County, firewood banks are commonly run by churches and referred to as “Firewood Ministry” or “Wood Ministry”. Pioneer Bible Church, Camino SDA Church and Mother Lode Church run local firewood banks that help residents who use firewood to keep warm. For families in need, the availability of firewood can make a difference during the holidays.

Learn more about Funding for Firewood Banks

The El Dorado County Air Quality Management District, in partnership with the El Dorado County Libraries, was awarded funding under the Wildfire Smoke Clean Air Centers for Vulnerable Populations Incentive Pilot Program. These funds were made available through Assembly Bill (AB) 836 to provide air cleaning equipment to create a statewide network of Clean Air Centers for use by the public during wildfire smoke events. Applications for this pilot program were prioritized to target facilities located in or serving an area that has documented evidence of cumulative wildfire smoke burden. In addition, the program required that the area should be in or in close proximity to designated AB 617, low-income, and/or disadvantaged communities as defined by this grant program.

The Clean Air Center grant funding will allow for the purchase of HEPA air purifiers for use in the County libraries in Placerville, South Lake Tahoe, Cameron Park, Georgetown, and Pollock Pines. When outdoor air quality conditions meet unhealthy criteria due to wildfire smoke, the air purifiers will be operated at these locations to provide residents with public indoor spaces to breath clean, healthy air.

Learn more from the Air Quality Management District (AQMD)

The Food Bank of El Dorado County will be hosting its annual Holiday Outreach Program on Saturday December 17th, at the Food Bank distribution facility. Holiday assistance is for recipients who are low income and struggling to make ends meet. If you are homebound, please email your request to info@foodbankedc.org.

The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians and Barsotti Family Juice Co. will join the community of donors by sponsoring the Holiday Outreach Program. The Tribal Fire Department and Tribal Police Department will partner with the Food Bank of El Dorado County to make deliveries to homebound residents.

Eligible individuals should arrive at the Food Bank during their scheduled time. Individuals may only pick up for one family. To determine your scheduled time, match the first letter of your last name with the times shown below:

A-I — 9am to 11am

J-R — 11am to 1pm

S-Z — 1pm to 3pm

No pre-registration is required.

Food Bank Distribution Facility
4550 Business Drive
Cameron Park, CA 95682
(530) 621-9950

Learn more about the Food Bank of El Dorado County

El Dorado Hills Fire Department is hosting their annual Santa Run: Holiday Heroes Food and Toy Drive. For more information, please contact EDH Fire directly at (916) 947-8502 or EDH Fire on Facebook.