Inyo Supervisors Lend Support for 40 Acres Wildfire Protection Plan

Inyo Supervisors Lend Support for 40 Acres Wildfire Protection Plan

Inyo and Mono counties are both vulnerable to wildland fires. Just how vulnerable was stressed at a recent Inyo Supervisors’ meeting following a presentation by Kristen Pfeiler, Eastern Sierra Council of Governments/Inyo County Wildfire Coordinator. Her ask was Board support for the 40 Acres Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The Board was unanimous in lending that support.

The grim reality was outlined by Pfeiler. The east side experiences so many disasters it is hard to remember those that did not directly impact individual communities. Pfeiler’s presentation brought home that reality with an outline of past fires. The Round Fire destroyed 40 homes and burned 7,000 acres in 2015. The 2016 Rock Creek Fire burned 120 acres northeast of Round Valley. In 2018 the Pleasant Fire burned 2,000 acres and the 1983 Rovana Fire destroyed two homes and burned 317 acres.

With that kind of history, the community decided it was time to do something to change the trajectory. But the path required a serious commitment, including the type of organization the community needed. Fire Safe Council status opens the door for grant funds making that designation the best option, especially when faced with a long list of projects to make the community more secure.

According to Pfeiler, hired by Inyo County in 2022, a core team of community members started with a Hazard Assessment that was approved in Spring of this year, focusing on fuel reduction and fuel breaks. The California Environmental Quality Act allows for exemptions for fuel reduction for Fire Safe Councils.

Pfeiler told the Board the 40 Acres Council has received grants for Chipper Days to deal with fuel reduction efforts as well as tree removal for older residents. The Council is now working on egress and ingress routes.

Supervisor Trina Orrill asked Pfeiler what steps other Inyo communities could take to form either a Fire Safe or Fire Wise (a less formal entity without the option for grant funding). The answer: contact Pfeiler (760-878-8444).

Deb Murphy