El Dorado County (Feb 13, 2024) – In response to the escalating threat of wildfires fueled by climate change, the El Dorado County Transportation Commission, in partnership with the City of Placerville, El Dorado County, the El Dorado and Georgetown Resource Conservation District, Cal Fire, and other first responders, has initiated the Greater Placerville Wildfire Evacuation Preparedness, Community Safety, and Resiliency Study. This collaborative effort aims to fortify the community’s resilience in the face of wildfires by crafting a comprehensive evacuation preparedness plan.
The study will meticulously review existing wildfire plans, pinpoint wildfire hazard areas, identify critical facilities, and assess potential infrastructure vulnerabilities during a wildfire evacuation event. Key objectives include identifying necessary improvements to roads and essential infrastructure to facilitate both public evacuation and first responders’ access for fire containment.
As wildfires continue to intensify in California, with over half of the state’s largest and most destructive wildfires occurring in the past decade, the urgency to address vulnerability becomes paramount. The Greater Placerville Wildfire Evacuation Preparedness Study intends to propose road and infrastructure enhancements, empowering the community to adapt and withstand the growing wildfire risks.
Leading the charge is the El Dorado County Transportation Commission, supported by public input and advice from two vital committees: the Project Development Team (PDT), consisting of partner agencies, and the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC), comprising diverse groups and organizations within the project area.
To engage the community in this vital initiative, a series of public workshops and meetings will be held over the coming months. Residents are encouraged to contribute their insights, highlighting potential wildfire hazard areas and concerns during wildfire events. The El Dorado County Transportation Commission website (www.edctc.org) will provide updated information about these workshops.
Individuals interested in providing input can participate by clicking here. The study welcomes public collaboration, aiming to create a robust evacuation preparedness plan that ensures community safety and resilience in the face of wildfires.
For additional information, please contact:
- Dan Bolster, Senior Transportation Planner, El Dorado County Transportation Commission, 530-621-5262, DBolster@edctc.org
- David Banuelos, Community Engagement Specialist, DKS Associates, (916) 803-6112, david.banuelos@dksassociates.com
