CELEBRATE OUR COUNTRY’S INDEPENDENCE DAY –
STAY SAFE AND GRATEFUL!
On this holiday weekend let’s remember the leadership, courage, and sacrifices that so many made throughout our nation’s 245-year history – to first establish and then defend our democracy. The Fourth of July commemorates the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation when 56 members of the Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, which gifted our nation independence, self-determination, and the right to dream big. This historic document is still a wonderful read and a way to remember our founding father’s words as they established a new country, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Let’s make this Fourth of July memorable by counting our blessings, truly appreciating our freedom, and celebrating our democracy!
We ask that as you gather with friends and family, please remember that we are in extreme fire danger – be SAFE and remain vigilant for potential ignition points. Let’s keep each other and our communities safe during such a dangerous fire season.
In service,
Cindy Gustafson, District 5 Supervisor
A MESSAGE FROM PLACER COUNTY FIRE CHIEF BRIAN ESTES
A FRIENDLY REMINDER THAT FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL IN DISTRICT 5 AND ALL OF UNINCORPORATED PLACER COUNTY. ONE LESS SPARK IS ONE LESS WILDFIRE. Help us all stay safe through the fire season. We live in a beautiful, but fire danger critical area – it is ALL our responsibility to ensure we are fire-prepared. [WATCH VIDEO]
Stay safe and have a Happy 4th of July.
“BE WISE TO RIVER RISE” & SWIFT WATER RESCUES | As always, we recommend you wear a lifejacket to protect yourself and loved ones, and “be wise to river rise” whenever you are near the river. In 2020, the Placer County Fire Department Technical Rescue Team responded to over 270 river and Technical Rescues. Please remember river water can be deceiving; while everything may appear calm on the surface, swift currents lie underneath, and the water temperature is cold enough to allow hypothermia to set in in as little as 15 minutes!
Wildfire Update & Resources
2020 was the worst recorded fire season in California history and 2021 is already surpassing it. There’s a huge fire danger increase this year due to the lack of snow and rain, along with high temperatures. On May 1 the snowpack was at 59% of normal and there were no late spring rains. Fire spread predictions are approximately 6 weeks ahead of normal and the fires we’ve had are extremely hot and fast moving. Please SIGN UP FOR PLACER ALERT – it is the single best way to stay informed in an emergency.
PLAN, PREPARE, STAY AWARE + EVACUATION
Be prepared, know your evacuation routes, and listen to law enforcement! Please remember evacuations are a very coordinated effort between all law enforcement, fire districts, Caltrans, and our county roads – it’s a significant undertaking and planning between the agencies is extensive. In the event of an evacuation, please remain calm, follow the instructions of the emergency personnel, and have an action plan ready before the fire strikes. Have your kit ready to go for every family member, know at least two ways out of your neighborhood, and remember to check all your apps, alerts and social media pages – officials will constantly be pushing out messages immediately and as fast as they can. Don’t wait for the evacuation order – if you feel threatened, leave – and leave as soon as the evacuation is recommended by any officials. Depending on where the fire is located, law enforcement will determine which evacuation route is best, and officials will be placed in strategic areas to direct people where to go. Please don’t stop to try and ask questions – this will delay everyone’s evacuation – trust they are directing you a safe way to get as many people out as quickly as possible. LEARN MORE
RED FLAG WARNING PROGRAM | The Red Flag Warning Program is a local effort to make residents aware of wildfire risk in our community and is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions combine to produce the possibility of extreme fire behavior. If you see red flags posted at fire stations/government buildings, that is the time to visit readyforwildfire.org. LEARN MORE
HI-LO SIRENS CAN HELP SAVE LIVES | The Placer County Sheriff’s Office released an important PSA regarding hi-low sirens and how they can help keep us safe. The hi-lo siren was installed in patrol units in 2019 to be used during emergency evacuations. The sound is different from the traditional police siren — it will ONLY be used in areas facing danger from a wildfire, chemical spill, flood, etc. LEARN MORE
IMPORTANT WILDFIRE RESOURCES:
• Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council
• Ready for Wildfire webpage
• Homeowner’s checklist
• Defensible space information
• Prepare for quick evacuation
• Build an emergency kit
• Sign up for Placer Alert
MEADOW VISTA RURAL MAIN STREETS PROGRAM
On June 26, I joined Meadow Vista community members, County staff, Local Government Commission, and volunteers for a temporary demonstration event to test out pedestrian and streetscape improvements along Placer Hills Road. The temporary improvements included delineated pedestrian pathways, curb enhancements, and high-visibility crosswalks. LEARN MORE
FINAL COUNTY BUDGET APPROVED
The Placer County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a balanced budget of $1,024,477,507 for the next fiscal year – 0.4% increase from last year’s final budget of $1,020,071,376. LEARN MORE
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY TASKFORCE MEMBERS APPOINTED
Affordable housing in Placer County has nine new champions, with the county Board of Supervisors voting unanimously to appoint the members of its new Housing Development Advisory Taskforce. LEARN MORE
AUBURN/LINCOLN AIRPORTS LAND USE COMPATIBILITY PLAN WORKSHOPS
The PCTPA/ALUC is hosting two virtual community workshops this summer to discuss the updated Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans for the Auburn and Lincoln airports. The two workshops will take place on July 14 (Auburn) and July 15 (Lincoln). LEARN MORE
PLACER RANKS #35 AS ONE OF THE HEALTHIEST COMMUNITIES IN NATION
The 2021 Healthiest Communities rankings measure nearly 3,000 U.S. counties and county equivalents across 84 factors that fuel and form the health of a community and its residents. Check out the report!
Contact information:
175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson: cindygustafson@
District Aide Kelly McCaughna: kmccaughna@placer.ca.gov
Assistant District Aide Lindsay Thayer: lthayer@placer.ca.gov
Assistant District Aide Sophie Fox: sfox@placer.ca.gov
