NORTHERN CALIFORNIA >> After weeks of battling wildfires across Northern California in October, government officials and communities have taken efforts in the areas they each know best: legislation and organizing to benefit all those affected.
On Wednesday evening, Congressman Mike Thompson and Nevada Congressman Mark Amodei introduced the Wildland Fires Act of 2017, a companion bill to the recent Senate bill under the same title. The Act focuses on the preparation and prevention of wildland fires by Federal and State firefighting agencies. This is expected to be achieved by authorizing additional funding for at-risk communities, treating the most at-risk forests, and reestablishing natural fire regimes.
More specifically, the bill states that the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior will “provide up to $100 million in funding to at-risk communities to plan and prepare for wildfires.” Companies involved in restoration projects on Federal land and for those that use forest products to create mass timber will have longer-term contracts authorized. The bill also mentions applying unused wildfire suppression funds for preparedness projects.
“The Wildland Fires Act we’ve introduced today proposes commonsense, bipartisan measures to help prevent future, widespread wildfires,” Thompson said in a prepared statement. “This legislation would do that by directing federal agencies to identify communities at high risk of wildfires, and provide them with the fire preparation and prevention assistance they need.”
Along with Thompson and Amodei was Governor Jerry Brown in proclaiming October 28 as a “Day of Remembrance of the Northern California Fires” in California.
In the proclamation he stated:
“Today we remember, above all else, the human toll of these fires. The numbers are staggering: at least 42 people lost their lives…A great number of the thousands of structures destroyed in the fires were homes. Many people also lost beloved animals or the businesses on which they depended for their livelihood. We remember these people too while giving thanks for their safety and the opportunity to help them in this time of need.”
To commemorate the day, Sonoma County held a Sonoma County Day of Remembrance at Santa Rosa Junior College on Saturday. Members of the community gathered to remember those they lost and celebrate first responders. The event featured local law enforcement honor guard, Cal Fire Cheif Ken Pimlott, and other community speakers.
Also present was House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. She offered her condolences to affected families and said, “We will do everything we can and be with you for as long as it takes to meet your needs. Where do we find hope? Hope is where it always has been, sitting there between faith and love.”
Communities, too, have already organized to help raise funds for those who lost loved ones, homes, pets, and more.
Entertainment is among the many ways communities are giving back to fire victims, one of the best ways to unite people lead vocalist Patrick Gleeson for the band Clean Sweep said.
“Music unites people, no matter the situation. So, shows like these are for our community that has gone through many devastating fires already,” he said.
He and the rest of the Clean Sweep band members performed Friday at Halloween Spirits, a benefit party where all proceeds collected go toward the purchase of supplies to help rebuild homes for those that lost them during the Sulphur Fire. The event will take place at Big Valley Hall, 1510 Big Valley Rd. Tickets are $10 each. More information can be found at the Lake County Fire Recovery Benefits Facebook page or by calling 707-278-7126.
Middletown is also ready to participate in fire relief efforts by donating 100 percent of all proceeds collected through the Redwood Credit Union. This will commence today at 6 p.m. at the Middletown Art Center where attendees can enjoy live performances and music, appetizers, and silent and live auctions at the Enchanted Forest, a themed community event. Tickets are $20. For more information visit lcics.org or call 707-987-3063.
Just outside of Lake County is the Mendocino Strong Together event, a fundraiser to assist those hit by the Redwood and Potter Valley Fires. Attendees can expect artists, businesses, entertainers, wineries and breweries, radio stations, hospitals and more on Saturday, November 4. The event will run from 4-10 p.m. at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds. Updates and details are available at the Mendocino Strong Together Facebook page and at MendocinoStrongTogether.com
