MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Last year was a bad year for fires around Lake County. This year, so far, there has not been much rain and vegetation is drying out already, and the South Lake Fire Safe Council is offering assistance to help keep local homes and properties safe.

Firefighters did a fantastic job protecting Lake County last year, and the council said firefighters need community members’ help by making the area fire safe.  This means clearing the area around your house or other structures.  

All dead or dying plants should be removed. Tree branches should be pruned so they are at least 6 feet above the ground and away from other plants or buildings and roofs. Dead leaves or branches should be removed from roofs.  
 
The South Lake Fire Safe Council can help you with other ideas to make your space safer.

One of the things they are doing this year again is offering low-cost chipping to supporting members.   

A $25 supporting membership entitles supporting members to half an hour of chipping. More chipping costs $25 per half hour up to four hours per year.

Chipping is scheduled for March, May, July, September and November this year.
 
Applications for supporting memberships and for chipping are available at the South Lake Fire Station on Highway 175 in Middletown or at their Web site, www.southlakefiresafecouncil.org .
 
Anyone who is interested in attending South Lake Fire Safe Council meeting is welcome to do so. Their meetings are on the first Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. at the fire station on Highway 175 in Middletown. They encourage your participation.  

The fire safe council’s mission is to provide fuel reduction and fire safety education in South Lake County.