Assemblyman Brian Nestande has organized a "Fire Suppression Roundtable" in Palm Springs, Friday Aug. 23. The following Thursday, Aug. 29, Riverside County is sponsoring a community workshop for people who lost homes or personal property because of the Mountain or Silver Fires. This meeting will be in Beaumont.
For details of both meetings, see below.
Fire Suppression Roundtable
In light of the recent fires that have plagued the region, this forum is meant to facilitate meaningful discussion on fire suppression efforts among local partners. The goal is to provide interested parties and constituents with insights on impediments to increasing suppression efforts, and identify best practices and needed resources to provide more protections for our local communities. The roundtable will have speakers from Cal Fire, local fire agencies, fire scientists, environmental groups and others.
This discussion is open to the public and local residents are encouraged to attend.
Fire Suppression Policy Roundtable
Date: Friday, Aug. 23
Time: 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Coachella Valley Economic Partnership
3111 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs
Workshop planned Aug. 29 in Beaumont for victims of Mountain, Silver fires
A community workshop for people who suffered losses to homes or personal property in the recent Mountain and Silver fires will be held Aug. 29 at Beaumont City Hall.
The meeting, held in cooperation with Supervisors Jeff Stone and Marion Ashley, follows the Board of Supervisors’ decision Tuesday, Aug. 20 to help fire victims by waiving many county permit and development fees, as well as landfill fees for cleanup of affected properties. The Board also agreed to fast-track county approvals for those who are rebuilding.
Members of the public who suffered losses in the fires are encouraged to attend the meeting, scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Beaumont City Hall, 550 E. Sixth St.
County officials will be on hand to provide information about possible assistance and to answer residents’ and property owners’ questions.
The Mountain Fire started July 15 on private property near Highway 243 and Highway 74 in Mountain Center. It burned 27,531 acres and destroyed seven homes and 12 other structures. The Silver Fire started Aug. 7 and burned more than 20,292 acres before it was contained. The blaze destroyed 26 homes and damaged more than 25 other structures.
The Board of Supervisors received a report indicating that some property owners devastated by the fires might lack insurance, or have insufficient coverage, to afford the county permits needed to rebuild.
For questions about the meeting, contact Riverside County Fire Department, Office of Emergency Services at (951) 955-4700.
