The smoke plume from the 1996 Fork Fire, which burned more than 83,000 acres in the Mendocino National Forest. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT – The Lake County Fire Safe Council is offering a fire protection workshop open to all residents of Lake County.

The workshop will be Wednesday, March 4, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lake County Courthouse, Board of Supervisors’ Chambers, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport. Entrance will be through the side doors on Third Street.

With the recent rains, it’s difficult to remind ourselves that fire season is fast approaching, however, NOW is the time to start preparations for the upcoming fire season.

If you are feeling complacent about your home’s fire safety, remember the lightning complex fires of 2008.

In neighboring Mendocino County, dry lightning ignited 129 fires and burned almost 55,000 acres. It could have happened here.

The Butte Lightning Complex was 37 fires, but burned over 59,000 acres and destroyed 106 homes. It could have happened here.

This free workshop will give citizens information on many aspects of fire protection and prevention. State and county ordinances will be discussed along with “how to” tips on getting the job done.

There will also be information available about the national Firewise Program that is designed to organize citizens to create fire safe communities.

It’s important that all of us do what we can to protect our homes, our lives and our firefighters. Clear defensible space around your homes before a wildfire does it for you.

Refreshments will be provided by the Upper Cache Creek Watershed Alliance.

For additional information, contact Linda Juntunen at 263-7950.

You can also get more homeowner information at www.fireswise.org or www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Boards/Advisory_Boards/Lake_County_Fire_Safe_Council.htm.

A structure fire in Scotts Valley in an undated photo. Courtesy photo.

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