Orinda’s First Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Fair
Orinda’s first Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Fair is scheduled on Earth Day because James Duff, Orinda’s Education and Outreach Coordinator, wanted to “further cement the idea that while wildfire is a natural occurrence, in a changing climate, our actions have direct and tangible consequences.”
The fair is at the Community Park, 28 Orinda Way on Saturday, April 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free.
He also scheduled it a bit before Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD) starts its code enforcement, so residents have a chance to take care of their property before citations are issued. Clean-up tips and fire-adapted landscaping ideas will be offered by the Orinda Garden
Club.
Bring a few dollars to cruise the Farmers’ Market. Then head on into the park, where there will be additional concessions available, live music in the gazebo and lots of experts eager to share information and tips about how to become wildfire adapted.
There will be activities for the whole family.
There is a petting zoo of goats used to graze down the Orinda Oaks Parks and Open Space. MOFD is bringing a truck for kids to climb on and Rescue 1 will have a Utility Terrain Vehicle. Family pet owners can ask a local shelter how to keep pets safe and how to evacuate them if necessary.
California Department of Insurance members will give updated information on home insurance, discounts for Firewise homes and groups as well as what lies ahead for homeowners. Other agency representatives will “show-and-tell” actions they are taking and will hear community input and answer questions.
The Orinda Firewise Council will have information about the Firewise program and their new interactive map of Firewise neighborhoods. Residents can find out if their home is in a Firewise group or if they are near one to join, plus tips and guidance for becoming a Firewise group.
This fair offers visitors the opportunity to ask questions and discover how to become wildfire-protected. Burning (hah!) questions like, “Which gutter guards should I get?” or “Come on, how bad is the wildfire threat really?” and “Do I have to cut down my heirloom
roses?”
In addition to the fair, there is a blood drive from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Orinda Community Center and the Annual Orinda Action Day from 10 a.m. – noon in the Lower Library Plaza. The Library opens at 11 a.m.
Come out with your family, join the fun and be part of the solution – lowering Orinda’s risk of wildfire, together.
Melanie Light can be reached at melanie@melanielight.com.
Patti Young, current steering committee member for the Lamorinda CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) offers Orinda residents information about how to be ready for an emergency. A similar event, the WildFire Safety and Preparedness Fair is on Earth Day, April 22 and runs in conjunction with Orinda Action Day and Orinda Farmers’ Market.
