UKIAH, Calif. – In a climate where wildfires are becoming the “new normal,” it is imperative that homeowners take fire wise building and landscaping practices into account for new and existing homes.

The Mendocino College Sustainable Construction and Energy Technology program is offering a workshop to help homeowners and builders make wise decisions about how to protect their homes and property from fire.

The workshop, “Becoming Fire Wise” will take place on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Room 4210, at the Mendocino College Ukiah campus (Library Building).

Participants will learn from fire safety professionals including local Cal Fire Deputy Chief Scott Witt and Mendocino County Fire Safe Council Program Coordinator Imil Ferrara about home hardening for fires, fire safe landscaping, defensible space, and fire safe communities.

By learning how to assess your own property’s vulnerability to fire and techniques to build defensibility, this workshop will offer homeowners skills to protect their homes before a wildfire occurs.

This panel of professionals includes Scott Witt, Cal Fire deputy chief, who brings decades of experience in fire planning and prevention and Imil Ferrara, program coordinator for the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council.

Ferrara has worked as a community organizer to build fire resilience in rural areas of northwest California. He has worked with government agencies, tribes, environmentalists, and private industries to build trust and consensus around fire-smart forest management.

These local pros will guide workshop participants through home hardening for fire safety, defensible space, fire-safe landscaping, and the role of fire safe neighborhood councils.

Following this information-packed presentation will be a Q&A and an opportunity to meet and talk with the professionals.

RSVP soon to lock in your seat for this educational home building workshop. To RSVP/register for this workshop, visit https://firewise.brownpapertickets.com.

To learn more about the workshops, contact Jen Riddell at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-468-3080, and visit https://www.mendocino.edu/department/sustainable-technology-program to learn more about the Sustainable Construction and Energy Technology Program at Mendocino College.

The Mendocino College Ukiah campus is located at 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah.