LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Konocti Fire Safe Council, or KFSC, continues its efforts to educate and prepare residents along the Soda Bay Road corridor to be ready for wildfire, as Cal Fire anticipates another dangerous fire season.

This year, the unprecedented growth of grasses and brush resulting from heavy winter rain and snowfall have contributed to an increased wildfire threat.

On Saturday, May 20, members of the Konocti Fire Safe Council reached out to over 150 area residents at the Riviera Foods in Kelseyville, distributing wildfire preparedness information for defensible space, home hardening and evacuation.

KFSC helped residents sign up for LakeCoAlerts, an online app system used by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for evacuation purposes.

Residents were provided refrigerator magnets with their designated zone numbers for quick reference if there is a wildfire or other emergency, as this is how residents will check to learn if they are in an impacted area.

“The geographic coverage of the Konocti Fire Safe Council encompasses eight designated Zonehaven designated areas and knowing your specific zone number is extremely important in the event of evacuation,” said KFSC President Kathy Andre.

Also, on the weekend of May 20 and 21, Buckingham Homes Association Board Member Barbara Hollenkamp, volunteer Michelle Prior and Manager Shannon Maurer manned a Firewise booth at the “Test and Tune” event at Buckingham Golf Club and Community Center.

Educational information on wildfire safety, preparedness and mitigation was handed out during the event, which drew large crowds of spectators.

Hosted by the California Speedboat Association, this event featured classic cars, street rods, muscle cars and custom boats.

“Just like this Test and Tune event, our residents are getting into high gear when it comes to wildfire safety,” said Buckingham HOA Board President and KFSC Treasurer Bill Groody.

Buckingham Homeowners Association recently became the fourth nationally recognized Firewise USA Community along the Soda Bay Corridor, with the assistance of the Konocti Fire Safe Council.

Additional community outreach events in May 2023 included presentations to both the Konocti Women’s Service Club and the Clear Lake Trowel and Trellis Garden Club.

KFSC Board Member John Nowell spoke on wildfire and evacuation preparedness. Nowell is a retired Los Angeles Battalion Chief, with 25-plus years in the fire service industry, including leading wildfire strike teams.

KFSC Board members Cathy Sylar and Cindy Jassar distributed educational materials on fire mitigation and evacuation and helped Club members sign up for LakeCoAlerts.

To request additional information on wildfire preparedness and/or the Konocti Fire Safe Council, please contact 707-279-2245, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.KonoctiFireSafe.org.