I trust you are all safe and secure, have power restored or soon will, and dealing successfully with this new world we have with us for a time. I was out yesterday having a spray rig repaired, in a safe outside area, maintaining social distance. Great job, and fellow reached for my hand, as I reminded him of our new rules. (-) He thanked me and said how quick we can forget.

I trust I can speak for our Board and Council, that AFFSC will carry on in our work of making our community more wildfire safe. The fire risk does not go away even though our attention is focused on other things for now.

Our Board and Council meetings are of course canceled for now until further notice. Check-in with our website at www.affsc.org to see other cancellations. We, of course, do not know what may be the extent of the current situation. We will do our best to keep you informed of wildfire activities. I assume the “stay at home” order may be in place for some time. We are looking into Zoom meetings to be able to have some means of online public meetings.

AFFSC Newsletter - Our AFFSC Newsletter is about to be mailed out providing a wealth of information. Future editions will be online and emails.

AFFSC Survey – We will be mailing out a short survey on wildfire issues to you shortly. It is available now online at our website. Please fill this out and return to us. This will help us and Pioneer Fire better prepare to help you.

Chipping Program - Some fire safe programs continue, like the free EDCFSC chipping program. This successful program is still active. As part of the chipping program, the contractor came out yesterday to my place and chipped for the full 6 hours allowed, and chipped away a host of piles I had stacked. Contact us if you cannot fill out the request form online. https://www.edcfiresafe.org/programs-grants-2/chipper-program/

PG&E - PG&E is out today identifying hazard trees to be cut in our area. They are traveling in individual vehicles and keeping social distance. The trees they remove are either left or taken away as the homeowner prefers. Many of the trees removed will make emergency access along our roadways better and safer. They are doing a great job. The PG&E hazard tree removal in South County is a direct result of proactive work by AFFSC with PG&E.

Defensible Space Evaluations - Our Defensible Space Evaluations are continuing. Contact us at info@affsc.org to get an evaluation of the defensible space around your home and structures. These are folks trained by CALFIRE for this work. They will be in teams of two, traveling in separate vehicles, look at only the outside of your property, and maintain social distance. They will send an electronic copy of the evaluation to you, or a paper copy if needed. This will help you better prepare your home for wildfire season.

If you know of any seniors or disabled having a hard time, please let us know.

We are here to help you on wildfire safety. We will get through this current challenge.

Take care, and stay safe and healthy.

John Hess

Chair, AFFSC

www.affsc.org