NORTH COAST
PG&E offers resources for California Arbor Week, March 7-14, for the whole family
Planting the right tree in the right location helps promote fire safety, natural gas safety, reduces power outages and ensures beauty for years to come. That’s why each year, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) likes to recognize and honor trees during California Arbor Week. To kick off the weeklong event, we are reminding customers and their loved ones of all ages to mind what’s overhead and underground when adding new trees or shrubs to an area. This will lower the risk of wildfires or damage to powerlines and gas lines, making our hometowns safer.
PG&E has many online materials, including free downloadable guides, with easy tips, charts and photos that help explain how, what, and where to plant the safest trees for each area, located at pge.com/RightTreeRightPlace.
It’s never too early to learn about trees and powerline safety, so PG&E also has fun and educational games, puzzles, and checklists just for kids at pge.com/arborday4kids. Each activity is grade and age appropriate.
“California Arbor Week reminds us that trees provide many health and environmental benefits to our hometowns but there are hazards to avoid above and below the ground. Trees that are small when planted may grow to heights that can reach overhead powerlines or create root systems that interfere with gas lines. We want your trees to be healthy and safe for our communities to enjoy for a long time,” said Peter Kenny, Senior Vice President, PG&E Vegetation Management & System Inspections.
Here are some main safety reminders when it comes to planting a tree, but more robust information can be found in PG&E’s free downloadable planting guides, which includes characteristics of recommended trees, how to care for a tree, and much more.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE PLANTING
- Call 8-1-1 at least two days before planting trees or landscaping to have underground powerlines and other utilities marked. You can also do this by visiting http://www.811express.com. Professional locators will arrive at the digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground utilities with flags, spray paint or both.
- Visit pge.com/righttreerightplace for planting guidelines specific to your region and specific to whether you live in a High Fire-Threat District (HFTD), as outlined by the California Public Utilities Commission.
DURING PLANTING
- When planting a new tree near powerlines outside of a HFTD, leave space for it to remain at least 10 feet clear of all powerlines throughout its lifespan, including crown expansion and ensure it is no taller than 25 feet at maturity.
- Within a HFTD, plant only low-growing, fire-resistant shrubs near powerlines. This can extend the defensible space around your property. For more information regarding defensible space visit www.readyforwildfire.org.
ENJOY YOUR TREE
- Never attempt to retrieve any type of balloon, kite, drone, or toy that becomes caught in a tree that is near a powerline. Trying to retrieve it yourself is extremely dangerous. Leave it alone, and immediately call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to report the problem.
- Always look up before pruning a tree. Only experts certified to conduct tree work near powerlines are qualified to prune trees in these locations.
In 2011, the California Legislature designated the week of March 7 to March 14 of each year as California Arbor Week, and to urge California residents to observe the week with appropriate tree planting activities and programs. March 7 is the birthday of famed horticulturist Luther Burbank.
For information on all PG&E’s vegetation management programs in Northern and Central California, visit www.pge.com/trees.
—Submittted
CALIFORNIA
Gov. Newsom appoints Joe Tyler as the 22nd CAL FIRE Director in the Department’s 137-year history
Joe Tyler has been appointed to lead CAL FIRE, California’s statewide fire agency overseeing an appropriated budget of $3.7 billion and more than 9,600 civilian and uniformed staff who responded to more than 535,000 emergencies in 2021.
“I am honored to have been selected to lead CAL FIRE and I look forward to serving the people of California while promoting the health and welfare of our employees,” Tyler said in remarks to CAL FIRE’s leadership upon his appointment. Today, Tyler will spend his first full day as the Director of CAL FIRE addressing employees who are graduating as new Company Officers to operate fire engines and others attending Leadership Training at the California Fire Training Center.
Tyler is a 31-year veteran of CAL FIRE and most recently served as the Deputy Director of Fire Protection,
overseeing statewide fire protection operations and cooperative fire protection. He began his career with CAL FIRE in 1991 working in several counties and programs throughout California and has an extensive background in executive level operations and programs.
Prior to his appointment as Deputy Director, Tyler served as the Assistant Deputy Director of Fire Protection with oversight of law enforcement/civil cost recovery, fire protection operations, aviation management, tactical air operations, and mobile equipment. He has also held managerial responsibility for training, safety, emergency medical services (EMS), local/state/federal programs, and hand crew programs.
Tyler serves as the Department representative on the California Wildland Coordinating Group, National Association of State Forester’s Wildland Fire Committee and Western States Fire Managers, He also served on several statewide committees and cadres and was instrumental in the acquisition of a new fleet of helicopters and C-130 air tankers. He is a qualified Agency Administrator and Incident Commander – Type 1. He was a member of CAL FIRE Incident Management Teams from 2005 through 2014, last holding the position of Deputy Incident Commander on CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 3.
Follow Director Tyler on Twitter @CALFIRE_CHIEF
To learn more about CAL FIRE please visit www.fire.ca.gov
—Submitted
