Click Here to Watch Supervisor Gore's July Newsletter Summary Video

Happy Independence Day! I remind myself every day how fortunate we are to live in the greatest country on earth! I encourage you to take some time this Fourth of July to remember the men and women in our armed forces, law enforcement and emergency response services who allow us to live peacefully in this country and enjoy the quality of life we often take for granted.

We are blessed to be served by excellent firefighters in our community. Placer County Fire, CAL FIRE, and the Roseville Fire Department work in collaboration to keep our community safe and as residents we must also do our part to support them by acting swiftly in the event of a catastrophe.

Our community rests on what is called the “Wildland Urban Interface.” As defined, it is not necessarily a place but rather a set of conditions. In the case of South/West Placer, our suburban and agriculture-residential communities abut to a vast dry grassland with hot, high winds in the summer. Many of our homes have wooden sidings with decks, barbecues and shrubbery. Often it is not the direct flames that threaten structures but the embers from distant fires that ignite roofing or dry trees.

It is so important that we understand our situation and do what we can to prepare for fires and have a plan of action, if a fire were to threaten our community. Below is a partial list of the “Ready, Set, Go” tips to help you prepare. For a full list of Fire Safe Tips, visit https://www.placer.ca.gov/4105/Protect-Placer.

First: Ready – Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit
Put together your emergency supply kit long before a wildfire or other disaster occurs. Take it with you when it’s time to evacuate and plan to be away from your home for an extended period. An emergency kit should include a three-day supply of non-perishable food and three gallons of water per person, maps marked with at least two evacuation routes, prescriptions or special medications and copies of important documents.

Second: Set – Create a Home Evacuation Check List
Prior to evacuating, make sure to shut all windows and doors but keep them unlocked for emergency personnel. Remove flammable window shades and move flammable furniture to the center of the room. Shut off your gas meter, pilot lights and air conditioning.

Outside your home, turn off propane tanks and move your gas or propane barbecues away from structures. Connect garden hoses to outside water valves or spigots to make water easily accessible to emergency personnel. Be sure to turn off sprinkler systems and other water valves as it may affect water pressure and impact firefighting efforts. Have your keys with you and back your car into the driveway loaded with your evacuation items.

Remember to keep your car’s doors and windows closed. If you feel threatened, do not wait for an evacuation order to leave your home.
Don’t forget to locate your pets and keep them close by!

Third: GO!
When it is time to evacuate first review your evacuation plan checklist, ensure your emergency kit is in your vehicle and cover your body to protect from flying embers and heat.

Again, this serves as a partial outline of how you can best respond in an emergency situation. I have listed resources below for you to get more information to best prepare yourself and your family.

To learn more about “Ready, Set, Go” or more tips to harden your home ahead of a wildfire disaster, visit http://ReadyforWildfire.org.

Fireworks
All fireworks are illegal in unincorporated Placer County. Even “Safe and Sane” Fireworks, while sold and legal to use in Roseville, are illegal in unincorporated Placer County. Also, local fire departments enforce a "zero tolerance" policy as it relates to sales, possession and use of illegal fireworks. Any firework that flies in the air, darts across the ground or explodes is considered illegal in California. If it does not have the California State Fire Marshal seal on the packaging, it's illegal.

Placer Alert, Emergency Updates & Resources
Be sure to sign up for Placer Alert, a joint emergency alert system that will provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations. First responders rely on this state-of-the-art alert system to notify residents in our community of emergencies ranging from evacuations to severe weather.

Visit Placer-Alert.org to sign up today and register multiple phone numbers. Please don’t miss the emergency alert from the Roseville Fire Department simply because you failed to sign up for the notifications.

I also encourage you to find and follow @CalFireNEU, @PlacerCA and @RSVL_Fire on Twitter for updates on incident activity.

Have a jovial July and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,

Bonnie Gore

Supervisor, District 1