The Green Valley Fire Safe Council (GVFSC) teamed up with the Center for Volunteer & Non-Profit Leadership (CVNL), Republic Services, Potrero Hills and the 100 Club of Yolo-Solano to host a 9/11 Weekend of Service and Remembrance and Wildfire Prevention event. The Weekend of Remembrance is a chance to pay tribute to those injured and killed on September 11, 2001, the first responders, and countless others who serve to defend the nation’s freedom at home and around the globe while reducing wildfire risk in our communities.

The GVFSC offered a free Green Waste event to help Green Valley residents dispose of vegetation cleared from their properties to reduce wildfire risk. Additionally, the group volunteered their time to help a neighbor clear part of their property to help create defensible space and cleared vegetation along the driveway and roadway to enhance safety for the residents and people driving along the road. Derek Smith, retired CAL FIRE, started the group off with a safety briefing. The group of volunteers, including Cordelia Fire Protection District Director Glen Langstaff and Chief David Carpenter, removed about 1/8 acre of dead and dry vegetation, ground and ladder fuels.

The Green Valley Fire Safe Council is committed to continuing to work to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. GVFSC Board Chair Rochelle Sherlock expressed appreciation for the partnership with CVNL, 100 Club and friends from the Pleasants Valley Fire Safe Council (PVFSC)

A huge thank you for Ron Turner of the 100 Club and the ladies from CVNL and to PVFSC President David Stevens who joined the group and helped clear areas along the driveway and road. A huge thanks goes to the members of the Green Valley Fire Safe Council who volunteered their time to help neighbors and the community. Thank you to Glen Langstaff, Mark Guigni, Dave Carpenter, Joseph Sherlock, and Derek Smith!!

Another Green Waste clean-up event is planned for October 8. Stay tuned for more about this and other Fire Safe Council events.

Photo shows one area of concern before clean-up, with excessive ladder fuels around these oak tree

Volunteers show one area of concern after the removal of excessive fuels

Volunteer helping to clear fuels to reduce wildfire risk

Volunteers helped clear brush from roadsides as well

Volunteers helped to prune up trees to reduce risk of wildfire spread

Photos courtesy of Green Valley Fire Safe Council