The foothills on the eastern side of the San Joaquin Valley are among the most fire-prone in the state. Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Mariposa and Merced counties all contain foothill areas designated by the California Public Utilities Commission as “Tier 1 Extreme high fire threat.”

To help address the fire threat and prevent the loss of property and harm to residents, the UC Master Gardener Program is teaming up with Yosemite Sequoia Resource Conservation and Development Council and other partners to offer a free two-hour Southern Sierra Firewise Webinar, 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 12. The webinar aims to raise awareness about community planning and landscaping and gardening practices that reduce fire danger. Register here.

The webinar comes at a time when California legislators are considering increasing fire safety regulations in vulnerable areas. California Assembly Bill 3074 was passed in 2020. Under its provisions, home and cabin owners must remove all combustible materials in a five-foot zone adjacent to the structure – including plants, trees, mulch and firewood. New construction must use fire-resistant or noncombustible siding and decking materials. Residents of established homes may need to replace or treat existing wood siding, decking and stairs to meet fire-resistant standards. The regulations are expected to be finalized by the end of 2025.

The Nov. 12 webinar will open with an overview of the Firewise USA program, an initiative that helps communities prepare for and reduce wildfire risks by creating organized action plans. It encourages residents to build a community with firefighters and forestry professionals to increase the community’s fire resistance. Recognized Firewise communities may receive home insurance discounts and priority for wildfire safety grants.

Following the plenary session, participants will join county-specific breakout sessions, in which local organizations share success stories, discuss local resources and offer an opportunity for questions and community connection. 

Three breakout sessions with local information will be part of the webinar, with separate panels focusing on:

• Tulare County
• Fresno County
• Merced/Mariposa counties

Additional partners in the Central Sierra regional event include the UC ANR Fire Network, the Sierra Resource Conservation District, California FireSafe Council, Tulare County Forest Resilience, Mariposa County FireSafe Council, Mariposa County Resource Conservation District, Coarsegold Resource Conservation District and FireWise USA.

For more information, see https://tularecounty.ca.gov/forest-health/southern-sierra-firewise-webinar-considerations-landscaping-gardening

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Written by UC Master Gardener Jeannette Warnert