The Plumas County Fire Safe Council reports that its Senior Disabled Defensible Space Assistance program is now serving clients in the Quincy area. The program provides eligible applicants with help clearing their property for fire safety. Applications for assistance in 2026 will open Nov. 1.
Program Manager Tommy Brenzovich said the defensible space crew from High Sierra Fire has wrapped up work in the Chandler Road corridor and is now working on properties from the client list for Quincy and East Quincy. “The crew has been fortified with additional personnel, so progress has increased quite a bit recently,” said Brenzovich. “We appreciate everyone’s patience with our no-cost program as it continues to grow and benefit more and more county residents.”
Over the next several weeks the crew will finish Quincy, move on to Butterfly Valley and the Highway 70 corridor, then to Indian Valley, before wrapping up in the Almanor Basin.
Brenzovich said the program currently has a waitlist of about 40 individuals who applied after May 1. Staff hope to treat as many waitlisted residences as possible, but exactly how many will ultimately be determined by crew progress, contract end date and weather. He suggests signing up early once applications open Nov. 1 for the best chance of getting on the initial list of clients for 2026.
Safe firewood storage
In the meantime, Brenzovich reminds local residents to consider fire safety when processing and storing firewood. “In my recent travels around the county I have begun to notice some impressive piles of firewood showing up in peoples’ yards in preparation for the coming winter,” he said. “Unfortunately many of those piles are in unimpressive locations.” Brenzovich said firewood should be dried, processed and stored at least 30 feet from a home.
“Conveniently located woodpiles often negate defensible space efforts — especially this time of year when a few showery days lull us into thinking fire season is nearly over,” he said, pointing out that the Camp Fire, which consumed the town of Paradise, started Nov. 8. More tips and defensible space requirements are available from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
More details about the Senior Disabled Defensible Space Program are available on the PCFSC website or by contacting Brenzovich at [email protected].
