County declares Wildfire Awareness Week

The Plumas County Sheriff’s Office and representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, local fire departments and CalFire presented a united front against wildfires at the regular Board of Supervisors meeting May 8.

The county declared last week Wildfire Awareness Week through a resolution passed at the meeting. Wildfire Awareness Week is a statewide public information program designed to make residents aware of fire season, which is typically May through October.

“However, as we have seen this year in our state, it is a year round issue,” said Sheriff Greg Hagwood.

The theme of the Wildfire Awareness Week is “Prepare Now! Wildfire Knows No Season.” The fire and emergency response agencies encouraged the community to ensure proper management of defensible space around their homes.

County Accepts Clean Audit

The Board of Supervisors accepted an unmodified opinion from independent auditing company Smith & Newell, CPA. Norm Newell presented the auditors’ minimal findings, saying they found no issues with the balances or material included in the audit.

“Overall, the financial condition of the county is not good or bad,” said Newell.

He reported that pension payments are up, as expected since the rise in pension liability in the state. He also said the county had 37 percent of annual expenditures in general reserve, which is more than double the recommended amount of 15 percent.

The board accepted the audit with little discussion.