Sonoma County Awarded $1M Cal Fire Grant

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Cal Fire has awarded a grant of more than $1 million to help Sonoma County clear hazardous trees and vegetation along roadways in the northwest area of the county. The $1,082,969 grant will support the county's Transportation and Public Works Department's proposed Road Safety, Fuels Reduction and Community Chipper and Engagement project for more than three years starting in October.

The county will access and remove fuel risks and tree mortality within the public right of way on 83 miles of roads in the Guerneville, Rio Nido, Monte Rio, Cazadero and Timber Cove areas. The result will be safer
access and egress for firefighters and the public in the event of a wildfire, county officials said.

"Residents must be able to evacuate safely and smoothly and firefighters must be able to get in quickly to do their jobs. Last October's wildfires show how important this is for public safety," Board of Supervisors Chair James Gore said.

Fifth District Supervisor Lynda Hopkins said the grant will address an urgent need in her district to reduce vegetation fuel loads and enhance public safety in the west county rural communities.

The county also is providing a chipper and tow vehicle staffed by Sonoma County Fire and Emergency Services to increase community chipper services along public rights of way and for curbside chipping in the project area.

Fire Safe Sonoma will lead education and public outreach efforts that encourage residents in the targeted area to clear hazardous vegetation from their properties through the chipper program.

The total cost of the three-and-a-half-year program is $1,237,541 and Sonoma County's share is $154,572.

By Bay City News Service

Photo by Renee Schiavone/Patch