The town hall meeting on April 23rd, 2015 at the Coarsegold community center went well.
In collaboration with CAL FIRE, Firewise® Madera County coordinator Roger Maybee made a presentation on home hardening versus defensible space.
The program focus is on home hardening. FMC Coordinator Roger Maybee continued emphasizing that defensible space alone is not enough. All it takes is a spark. Hardened homes are the only way to really protect yourself.
Mr. Maybee also went over the most critical step, evacuation prep, that is always the top priority. If there is a fire in the area, get out. Prepare early, get out.
Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Darin Soukup reported that firewise materials were being handed out at checkout lines and would be placed in billing statement by Sierra Telephone.
Fire Marshal Debra Keenan was there to talk about the ISO ratings that are causing insurance rates to massively rise. There was a lot of citizen concern regarding the seemingly arbitrary nature of how the ISO ratings are determined and applied up here. The Fire Marshal said not all insurance companies use the ISO ratings in determining rates.
Also of concern to residents was the status of the Courtney Fire Bass Lake Heights clean up.
All in all another informative town hall meeting for residents.