A FIREWISE DEDICATION CEREMONY was given at the Sierra Brooks Lodge on Wednesday, February 24th. Among those joining fellow residents in the dedication were CalFire; District Fuels Officer for the Sierraville Ranger District, Ruby Burks; Loyalton Fire Department; Sierra County Sheriff’s Department; Sierra County Supervisors Sharon Dryden and Paul Roen; and Forester Danielle Bradfield. Chairperson for Firewise Events Committee, Joanna Garneau welcomed the group and stressed Firewise was very important to the community as it gives it a foundation of knowledge, information, sources and ways to communicate so they can keep everyone safe during a threat of wildfire. Marti Walker and Al Petrie, Firewise volunteers, thanked the Homeowners’ Association (HOA) for its assistance with Firewise and presented members Gabriel Andaluz and Deb Devenzio with plaques. Sharon Dryden who is also a Sierra Brooks homeowner stated it was almost a year since they first started this process. She met Ryan Tompkins, UC Cooperative Extension Forest & Natural Resources Advisor at a Fire Safe meeting, talked to him about Firewise and from there prevailed through COVID and zoom calls. Tompkins helped with the assessment and five-year action plan. Dryden stated now Sierra Brooks is Sierra County’s first Firewise community, adding it was an exciting day to celebrate, but it would never have happened without all the participation. She thanked Ryan not only for what he did for Sierra Brooks but for Sierra County in helping other communities develop a Firewise plan. He was presented a Resolution of Appreciation by Supervisor Dryden and a Shepard’s staff as he “Sheparded” them through the process. Ryan was very humbled by the presentation and mentioned homeowner’s efforts to remove junipers in front of the Lodge. Sharon also appreciated CalFire and the Forest Services’ support.
Garneau felt the momentum would continue to grow and welcomed those who would like to join them.
