The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors focused on Caldor Fire recovery during a special meeting Friday, September 10. Over approximately six hours, the Board received updates on the firefight from CalFire and the US Forest Service and plans for repopulation of burned areas from Sheriff John D’Agostini. The Board then heard from several county department leaders about their response to the fire and services available to victims.
The California Department of Emergency Services provided a presentation on debris removal efforts. Property owners with destroyed structures will soon be asked to decide whether to participate in state-sponsored removal efforts or hire their own private contractor. Residents were cautioned not to attempt debris removal on their own without approval from the county’s environmental management department, as doing so may be hazardous and make the owner ineligible for future assistance including the state-sponsored program.
Officials also announced the launch of a Caldor Fire Recovery webpage on the county’s website. The page provides information on several topics important to victims including debris removal, tree removal, returning home, property taxes, animal care, housing and shelter, and utilities. The webpage also provides a dedicated e-mail address and phone number for specific questions, which Communications Director Carla Hass said would be staffed by a live employee during business hours.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Board unanimously approved an urgency ordinance intended to assist victims with temporary housing and rebuilding. Among its provisions, the ordinance allows for recreational vehicles and temporary mobile homes to be permitted on damaged lots, permits short-term rentals and campgrounds to house displaced residents for longer than the usual time limits, and waives demolition, temporary housing, and rebuilding permit fees if insurance will not cover them. County staff indicated that revisions to the emergency ordinance are likely as officials discover additional needs.
File photo by John Albano
