Whitethorn Fire Safe Council

05/09/2026

California no longer has a fire season. According to Cal Fire Director Joe Tyler, it now has a fire year.

Read more 👇

04/25/2026

Thank you to Shelter Cove CERT for their donation of some medical supplies to Whitethorn CERT/FSC! We’ll be able to lend out some of these items to folks in the community when needed, such as walkers, crutches and a shower chair! ❤️🤝 Collaboration builds community! 🥰

04/22/2026

CAL FIRE burn permits are required starting May 1, 2026! Get yours today!

Obtain a CAL FIRE permit at: https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov/
A North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQMD) permit is required year round! Learn more and get your permit at: https://www.ncuaqmd.org/

04/19/2026

We are excited to share that we’ve been awarded two fuels reduction grants!

Quick Summary:
One is focused on removing invasive trees around PG&E lines in Whitethorn and the another is fuels reduction along Nooning Creek Rd.

Recognition:
Both efforts required volunteer’s time to research and collect data, write grant applications, and eventually manage the grant administration. Huge thanks to Cheryl Lisin, Lela Benson, Donna Durr, Anna Rogers, and Meisje Vandergroen.

The Ask:
Let us know if you come across a grant opportunity! We’d like to see how we can continue to maintain a resilient Whitethorn!

The Whitethorn Firesafe council is focused on any and all opportunities to strengthen the community. (Not just Fire Prevention) Share your ideas or join us at a meeting 2nd Tuesday of the month

04/16/2026

"The state has made major investments in CalFire staffing and equipment in recent years to support wildfire response. McGuire said the state has “doubled the number of CalFire firefighters” in the last decade, and plans to hire another 2,000 over the next 48 months.

'We’ve phased out all the Vietnam-era helicopters, [and] we’ve phased in night-fighting Black Hawk helicopters,' McGuire continued. 'We have more fire engines on the road than we’ve had in decades and $8 billion has been and will be invested in wildfire prevention. That’s a game changer for the state.'

Even with these major investments, fire officials are still asking residents to do their part in creating defensible space around their homes. Over the next year or so, state officials will roll out “Zone 0” regulations that would require homeowners to clear hazardous materials within five feet of a structure.

'In general, the idea is to remove things that can burn,' Morris explained. 'If you have junipers or volatile vegetation right next to your structure, that’s something that’s probably going to have to be removed in that process. … For the level of protection that I want on my home, I’m removing anything that isn’t well-watered, anything that can combust. … Just imagine when wind hits your home and leaves collect — that’s where embers are going to show up.'

https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2026/apr/16/sen-mike-mcguire-calfire-officials-warn-super-el-n/?fbclid=IwY2xjawROQpVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETE1aWZoUldTNWVka1R6eGVWc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiYKpJ0KynOR908xHhQ_ciy4PhPl6DYmENawMbpZFLoldlaknLZ6vOD4u6sT_aem_HFFVqc76oUAyZX90WEgWyA

03/24/2026

This is interesting! BUT -- it doesn't apply to us here in Whitethorn. The levels we should be paying attention to are the river! Our watershed does not benefit from snowpack, but from the groundwater.

In order to be prepared for fire season, many landowners in our area have dedicated "fire water" water tanks, that are designed to be accessible to fire trucks. Do you have fire water stored?

03/21/2026

03/19/2026

03/08/2026

When we set the clocks forward, it’s also time for a quick safety check at home.

The start of Daylight-Saving Time is a good reminder to test your smoke alarms and replace batteries if needed. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire by about half, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

It’s also a good time to begin spring yardwork. Clear leaves and dead vegetation, trim back overgrown plants, and start building defensible space around your home before fire activity increases.

A few minutes today can make a difference all year.

01/23/2026

Did you know that Whitethorn is forming a CERT team? A group of community members, many of them members of the Whitethorn Fire Safe Council, attended a CERT training at the Mateel Community Center in 2025, and are now working on assessing emergency supplies, preparedness and disaster plans, in partnership with the WFSC and Whitethorn Fire Protection District.