KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – With the unseasonably hot dry summer and fall and no relief from the drought in sight, it is critical to be adequately prepared for another potentially catastrophic fire season.

The challenge: How to proactively prepare homes and neighborhoods to prevent wildfires.

The Clear Lake Riviera Community Association will hold a community meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, in the community room located at 9689 State Highway 281 (Soda Bay Road) to address fire safety and emergency preparedness.

Local experts will inform attendees about how individual households can increase fire safety and how the community can work together in taking steps to become certified as a “fire safe community.”

Certification provides communities the opportunity to apply for funding and other resources that will help promote ongoing fire safety measures such as weed abatement on unimproved properties and education campaigns.

Cal Fire Battalion Chief Greg Bertelli, Jeff Tunnell with the Bureau of Land Management and Lake County Fire Safe Council Projects Coordinator Linda Juntunen, will speak at the community meeting.

Additionally, Marisa Chilafoe, manager for the Lake County Office of Emergency Services, will provide an overview of how local communities can develop emergency evacuation plans considering geographic and demographic variables.

Chilafoe will describe the technical assistance available and present how the Clear Lake Riviera Community Association can access county resources to develop a local emergency response team including training, supplies and equipment.

“Given the likelihood of another severe fire season next year, it is imperative that our community plan accordingly. It is anticipated that the information provided at the meeting will get us ready to take action,” said association President Tom Harty.

All association residents are encouraged to attend this meeting to learn how they can become involved in preventing and mitigating fires and other types of disasters in the community and provide input into plans for the community.

For more information contact the association office manager at 707-277-7281 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .