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PRESS RELEASE
California’s dry climate and rising temperatures continue to threaten our local hillsides with the likelihood of more wildfires.
Historically, the 10 most costly wildfires in U.S. history have all occurred in California — the top two in the last three years. In the San Gabriel Valley, the Bobcat and Ranch2 fires burned thousands of acres of the San Gabriel River Watershed and affected residents along the foothill cities. Since then, it has become a priority of the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) to provide pertinent information and resources on how residents can safeguard their homes using the latest “firescaping” methods.
Upper District Directors Anthony Fellow and Jennifer Santana are taking the lead by hosting a “Firescaping the Foothills” townhall for residents living in Arcadia, Azusa, Bradbury, Duarte and Monrovia. Upper District is also pleased to announce that California American Water and the cities of Arcadia, and Monrovia are providing assistance in hosting this townhall. The virtual townhall will include a current update on the water supply conditions of the San Gabriel Valley and California at large as well as a presentation on how residents can protect their property from wildfires.
Douglas Kent, guest speaker and author of Firescaping, will highlight the essential qualities of a protected property and focus on emergency access, structures, defensible space, and the role of plants in fire protection. Additionally, the Upper District will be giving away four $300 plant vouchers for drought tolerant plants. Residents in Upper District’s service area are invited to attend this free townhall meeting.
WHEN
Thursday, June 24, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
WHERE
Online meeting via Zoom, registration required: lu.ma/FirescapingFoothills
CONTACT
Patricia Cortez – patty@usgvmwd.org; office: (626) 443-2297
SPEAKER BIO
Douglas Kent, MS, MLA, has been teaching land management courses at the John Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies, Cal Poly Pomona since 2008. He also presents landscape seminars, trainings, and workshops across the state. Doug has authored 8 books and over 50 articles related to landscaping and firescaping. His writings have also appeared in numerous publications and his work can be viewed at anfractus.com.
Upper District’s mission is to provide a reliable, sustainable, diversified, and affordable portfolio of high-quality water supplies to the San Gabriel Valley; including water conservation, recycled water, storm water capture, storage, water transfers and imported water. Upper District services nearly one million people in its 144 square mile service territory.
Governed by a five-member elected board of directors, Upper District is a member agency of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Annually, more than 78 billion gallons of water is used in Upper District’s service area. For more information about Upper District, please visit our website www.upperdistrict.org or call 626-443-2297.
