AUGUST 2023 NEWS & EVENTS

Neighbors,

Although this year's fire season has been relatively mild so far, it's important that we don't become complacent. The threat of wildfires remains a constant concern, and even in times of lower activity, it only takes one spark to escalate into a dangerous situation. Vigilance and preparedness should remain at the forefront of our minds. By staying informed about fire safety measures, maintaining defensible spaces around our homes, and heeding local authorities' advice, we can continue to mitigate the risks and ensure the safety of our communities and natural landscapes.
 

PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST
 

• Drive your escape routes now, and be aware of bottlenecks that may occur (many experienced during the NC Fair) See: https://www.6bandfriends.org/inc/6B_and_Friends_Evacuation_Routes.pdf.
• Re-supply Go Bags.  Be sure to include cash, prescriptions, pet food, water, chargers, N95 face masks, other necessities and important paperwork.  https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/get-set/emergency-supply-kit/.
• Update Pets & Livestock plan: https://www.areyoufiresafe.com/go/animal-evacuation.
• Practice opening garage doors manually (as if there is no electricity).
• Keep fuel in evacuation vehicles at least ½ full throughout wildfire season.
• Have headlamps (& charged batteries) and paper local maps in your evacuation vehicles.
• Have an agreement with several neighbors in DIFFERENT parts of the community to stay in touch with during a fire threat.
• Have a plan to inform someone outside of our area of your status in the event of a fire. Everyone in your household should know to contact this person if you are separated.
• Stock your evacuation vehicles with non-synthetic (wool, cotton or leather) boots, gloves, hats as well as a fire extinguisher and bolt cutter.
• Stay Informed..
  • Fire Season Preparation and Readiness: Ready Nevada County
  • Know Your Zone: Zone Haven (now Genasys)
  • Watch Duty: Get the App
  • For local news and updates: KVMR & Yubanet
  • For alerts from CalFire: Sign up for text alerts from Cal Fire
  • One page/printable:  How to Stay Informed During Wildfire Season Oct2022.pdf

CWPP SURVEY REMINDER

Please take the Community Wildfire Protection Plan Survey to help the county identify local solutions to wild-land fire management. Deadline for submissions is August 31, 2023. https://forms.office.com/g/HMTdUX1j2i 

THE FIREWISE MIXER & BBQ RECAP, June 17, 2023

The afternoon event, hosted by Lynn Forbes and Jim Walters, drew a fantastic crowd. Attendees enjoyed good food (including homemade pizzas), music, and discussions about fire season preparedness. We asked each attendee to list their top concerns around fire preparedness and information. The common themes were: disposing of brush (tree limbs, logs, etc.); receiving an alert in time to get out; neighbors with thick brush; and identification of evacuation routes, all of which we will try to address in the coming months.
 

Kudos Paul (the pizza chef), the Firewise committee for the event's success, and a big thank you to everyone who brought delicious offerings!

YOUR 2023/24 FIREWISE COMMITTEE

If you haven’t already, we encourage you to reach out and get to know this dedicated group (your neighbors) that serves as advocates for disseminating news and vital information. These committee members, each contributing their unique skills and perspectives, form a cohesive team dedicated to spreading crucial fire-related news and information. Through their advocacy, the community remains well-informed and empowered to protect themselves and their surroundings from potential fire hazards. You can find them on the neighborhood roster, accessed with the password neighbors. 

Lauren Drutz • Lynn Forbes • Roger Miller • Allison Rapp
Jason Rowe • Stephen Senatore • Jim Walters

WEBSITE IMPROVEMENTS

We are currently in the planning stage of enhancing our neighborhood website 6BandFriends.org with the goal of increasing its utility and transforming it into an information dashboard. We value your input and would greatly appreciate your feedback regarding the features and improvements you would find valuable. Your insights on how we can enhance its usefulness and what factors would encourage you to visit regularly would be incredibly valuable to our community. Please visit the contact tab on our current site, and submit your feedback.

UPCOMING EVENTS..