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Community Meeting

The Chester Firewise Committee held a Community meeting Tuesday May 29th.  What a Firewise Community is and it's benefits were discussed.   A Firewise community is one that realizes the risk of living in a wildland fire area, and knowing ways to mitigate that risk.

Some of the benefits are properties that have ample defensible space and homes that are harden to the ember shower.   There is also a possibility of a home owners insurance discount.  Sometimes being a Firewise Community will help you from getting cancelled by your homeowner's insurance company.  Another benefit to being recognized as a Firewise community is the grant opportunities that we will be able to apply for.  These grants can be used to create more defensible space in and around Chester.

The Firewise Assessment  was done in April.  The team that did the assessment was looking at the good things the residents of Chester have done already.  They also looked at areas that could be improved.  This was not just the homes in Chester but the surrounding lands as well.  The next assignment for the Firewise committee will be to set defensible space goals, prioritze them and then put the plan into action.

One way for residents to learn about what defensible space they need and how to harden their homes is with the Free Home Ignition Safety Check.  Through this check you will learn what you can do to help protect your home from wildland fire.  This is not to cite you, it is to help you protect your home and property.  It is a free service offered by Chester Fire Department.  Please call 530 258 3456 to schedule an appointment.

Another requirement to be a Firewise Community is to track the hours and/or dollars spent on creating or clearing our defensible space.  This includes your spring yard cleanup, raking needles, pruning, removing trees, etc.  It also includes dump fees and any amount you spend on tools for yard clean up or labor.  You can call in your totals to the Fire Department, 530 258 3456, email them in at klichti@chesterfire.org or mail the totals to Chester Fire Department, PO Box 177, Chester, CA  96020.

Be sure to sign up for Plumas County's Code Red system.  This is the way the county will let you know about any emergency you need to be aware of.  Go to www.countyofplumas.com.  Look for the "Emergency Alert System" button, click on it, then follow the prompts.  In case of an emergency you can also check this webpage and facebook at Chester Fire.