In observation of Wildfire Awareness Week, the Lake County Fire Safe Council invites all Lake County residents to take the opportunity to make this fire season safer for your family, your pets, and your home.

We don’t want you to be afraid of wildfire … we want you to be ready for it.

Make a note on your calendar to attend the third annual Wildfire Safety Expo, on Saturday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kelseyville Lumber Home Improvement Center. Learn how to make your home fire resistant and your families ready for evacuation in the event of wildfire.  

Talk directly with your local firefighters from Kelseyville, Lake County, Lakeport, Northshore, South Lake Fire Protection Districts; and also Cal Fire, U.S. Forest Service and BLM. Let them show you what we need to do to help them in their efforts to help us.  

Come and see firefighting training exercises, check out the equipment the agencies use, and talk to the men and women who fight our fires. Introduce your children to Smokey Bear and Sparky the Fire Dog, and shake the hand of a firefighter.  

Talk to vendors at the expo about fire protection products, fuel reduction services, fire recovery procedures, and safer building materials.  

Get tips about fire safe landscaping, defensible space, evacuation plans for your family, your pets and your livestock.  

Learn about the Firewise Communities USA program and what you can do to help your neighborhood reach its fire safety goals.  

Come meet the volunteers who help our communities when wildfire strikes.

Please remember that preparing your home for a wildfire is a critical step in the partnership between you and the firefighters who work to protect you.  

Take the time to learn about the measures we can take to get ready for fire season. Help our firefighters help us.

We hope to see you at the Expo this Saturday, May 12, in Kelseyville. It’s a family friendly event with hourly prizes, and admission is free!

Linda Juntunen is coordinator for the Lake County Fire Safe Council in Lake County, Calif.