Manton Fire Safe Council meeting dates for 2017 - TBD

As most of us remember, the 2005 Manton Fire was widely publicized & the American Red Cross received substantial contributions earmarked for the Manton recovery effort. Approximately $13,000 was spent in immediate assistance by the Red Cross; an additional $40,000 was raised and spent by local community volunteers (under the management of the Manton Community Church). In addition to the funds raised and spent, there were large and important contributions of time and materials by both local community members and people from near and far. All these efforts were of immense value to the community. After the completion of their local disaster recovery efforts, the Red Cross was left with a balance of $39,327.

Since the disaster there have been several meetings between Red Cross representatives and the Manton Fire Safe Council, to discuss the most effective ways to use this fund of $39,327 to help the community. During this process the Fire Safe Council has gradually come to understand the constraints imposed upon the use of this money by the bylaws of the American Red Cross.

The latest meetings in this series were held in spring 2008; there was further clarification of the sorts of activities which would be compatible with the American Red Cross mission, as well as beneficial for the community. There was also a clear understanding that the activities to be undertaken with the American Red Cross fund should be planned for completion within a period of three years. A proposal was developed that both organizations accepted; some of the projects to be funded include:

	Training and supplies for disaster recovery (includes a 20-foot shipping container to hold shelter supplies, located at Manton School, and an emergency generator for the school)
	Education & workshops for fire prevention
	Community chipper program with PG&E (funds will pay for publicity & education about chipping process; PG&E is providing chipper & crew for free)

This is just a brief outline of the projects the MFSC will be implementing with Red Cross funds. For more information, please review the complete proposal.

The Northern California Geographic Area Coordination Center (ONCC) is the focal point for coordinating the mobilization of resources for wildland fire and other incidents throughout the Geographic Area. Located in Redding, CA, the Center also provides Intelligence and Predictive Services related-products designed to be use by the internal wildland fire community for purposes of wildland fire and incident management decision-making.

	Northern California Long Term Assessment Prepared 08/03/2008
	Northern California Fire Behavior Assessment Prepared 07/07/2008
	ONCC Map of the June 2008 Lightning Siege Prepared 07/16/2008

CAP provides startup grants in the range of $5,000 to $15,000 each, as well as basic tools and guidance, to enable newly forming grassroots community groups to resolve differences and play a more active role in the sustainable management of nearby national forests and surrounding communities. The program will support the organizational and technical assistance needs of newly forming multi-party groups that act as problem-solvers, bringing diverse members of the community together to address specific issues related to community-based forest stewardship, recreation, watershed restoration, and wildlife habitat through constructive dialogue and hands-on involvement.

CAP funds can be used for a wide range of tools, including technical assistance, training, consultants, community outreach, obtaining 501(c)(3) status, group facilitation, basic startup and operating costs, materials and equipment, program development, nonprofit management skill-building, and communications. Complete program guidelines and application materials are available at the NFF Web site. Deadline April 6, 2006

Who Can Apply:
Applications will be accepted from newly-forming community-based nonprofit organizations in need of capacity-building and startup organizational and technical assistance that wish to proactively engage in natural resource issues on and around National Forests and Grasslands. Applicants must have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, or use a nonprofit fiscal sponsor organization with that designation until they have obtained it themselves. Established organizations, fire safe councils, federal agencies, state or local governmental entities are not eligible to apply.

The Manton Fire Safe Council is a group of Manton residents, representatives from resources agencies and other organizations, who are working towards creating a fire safe zone in the Manton area. By "fire safe" we do not mean "fire free," as we know that fire has always been a part of this area and will continue to be a natural phenomenon that we will have to deal with. Our focus will be on how to avoid or prevent fires caused by human error, and how to respond to fires when they do occur naturally or otherwise.

The Manton Fire Safe Council is sponsored by the Battle Creek Watershed Conservancy. The Council is fortunate to be working with the Tehama-Glenn Fire Safe Council and the Shasta Fire Safe Council and is supported and informed by their work. We are also fortunate to be working directly with representatives from California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF), whose expertise will guide us as we decide what our priorities and projects should be. We would like to invite all interested people to contact us and share your ideas, and your time, if possible. Remember, the purpose of this council is to make our community a safer community. Our work on the Fire Safe Council will benefit all of us. So please get involved - we need your help.