Lecture and hike for fire safety

VISTA — Preserve Calavera will host a special gathering and hike to teach urban dwellers about fire risks and what can be done to protect homes from wild fires from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on June 21.
The event will start with a lecture and a question-and-answer session at the new Vista Fire Station, at 2009 S. Melrose Drive, a building surrounded on three sides by natural lands. Vista Fire Department Capt. Randy Pusey will talk about local requirements. Isabelle Kay, preserve manager for the Dawson/Los Monos Reserve, will provide information from the California Fire Safety Council. The group will then explore practical approaches to fire safety and brush clearing. An exterior tour of the new fire station will show how this facility has addressed building design and landscaping at the wildland fire edge.
The group will then carpool to a nearby area to observe recent fire clearing next to the Dawson Reserve and then hike into the reserve to explore alternative approaches. They will then see firsthand some of the challenges and opportunities for improving fire safety while still preserving natural lands. The hike will be short, but on undeveloped trails with some elevation gain. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants and a hat. Sunscreen and water are recommended.
For information, e-mail [email protected] or call (760) 724-3887.