Tuolumne County supervisors are taking steps to prevent a disaster like the wildfire that destroyed the town of Paradise in Butte County.
The board hopes to implement measures before the next fire season, such as possibly joining the National Fire Protection Association’s Firewise USA program, which would mean following certain guidelines to prepare and protect communities from wildfire.
Supervisor Daniel Kirk said the No. 1 priority is a plan for emergency evacuation.
“Right now, the loss of life needs to be the forefront, making sure we notify people and that people have safe egress routes to get in and out,” he said.
Tuolumne County is no stranger to wildfires. The Rim Fire there six years ago was the third-largest fire in the state’s history.
But unlike the recent Camp Fire in Butte County, which resulted in 86 deaths and 18,000 buildings destroyed, there was no loss of life and only about a dozen homes were lost.
Board Chairman Karl Rodefer said when an emergency is declared, it’s not the time for a discussion of how or why.
“That is the time to get out and get out now,” he said. “We need to help ensure and you the public need to know how to do that and where to go.”
The board plans to work with a number of different partners to get as much done as possible before fire season hits, but much of the area is privately owned, and supervisors say it could take years to accomplish.
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