RIVERSIDE (CNS) – The Board of Supervisors today authorized Riverside County Fire Chief Bill Weiser to utilize roughly $3.5 million in largely state funds for construction of a 22-mile fire break to protect Lake Elsinore and
surrounding communities, as well as acquire a “scenario trailer” to teach children fire safety.
In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board signed off on the fire department’s allocation of $3.28 million for the Elsinore Country Fuel Break Project, and $212,564 for procurement of the scenario trailer.
The Elsinore Country Fuel Break is a multi-phase project that entails establishing a line of clear space along the boundary of the Cleveland National Forest fronting the communities of Horsethief Canyon, Lake Elsinore, Lakeland
Village, Trilogy, Temescal Canyon and Wildomar.
It is a county- and state-recognized Wildland Urban Interface endeavor, with the objective of protecting over 5,800 acres in the immediate vicinity of homes.
“The project area … involves 523 parcels of land … (and) will reduce the risk of fire hazard for 6,000 habitable structures,” according to a fire department statement. “The primary goals and objectives are eliminating wildfire starts, catching wildfires before they move into wildland and urban areas, facilitating firefighting efforts and general public safety.”
About 95% of the current funding allotment was made available via a Cal Fire grant, and 5% will emanate from the county General Fund, according to documents posted to the board’s agenda.
A separate state grant will enable the fire department to acquire the scenario trailer, which will be reserved for the Juvenile Fire Intervention Program.
“This trailer is one layer of the educational program to provide interactive scenarios about how to react in a fire situation, use fire extinguishers, fire prevention safety and much more,” according to an agency statement. “The trailer will be transported to schools and public events to enhance the message of fire safety to the community.”
A central focus of the JFIP is to apply proactive methods for deterring children from becoming fire starters.
In June, the board approved a contract with Laura Billon from the Fire Technology Department at Miramar College, who is in the process of setting up the JFIP in Riverside County.
Under her contract, which will be in effect until March 2024, Billon will create “risk assessment tools to identify at-risk youth,” as well as develop policies, procedures and protocols for addressing situations where minors exhibit fire-prone proclivities.
“This program will focus on providing outreach and educational material to minors and their parents or guardians … as an opportunity for families to work with the Riverside County Fire Department, partnering agencies
and stakeholders to address concerns regarding their children and fire-setting behavior,” according to the fire department.