gmhTODAY 11 gmhToday Nov Dec 2016 | Page 65

County Update With Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman Supervisor Mike Wasserman was elected to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors in November 2010, and re-elected in 2014. He represents District 1, which includes Gilroy, San Martin, Morgan Hill, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and portions of San Jose. (supervisorwasserman.org) M ountains provide a vivid reminder of how vulnerable we are to wildfi res. The prospect of a wildfi re can be terrifying for both rural and urban South County residents. According to Cal Fire, 95% of all wildfi res are caused by humans, which makes prevention and education key. The Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council (SCFSC) is a non-profit founded in 2001. It is funded by federal grants, local funding from the County, cities, fire agencies, and community partners, to address wildfire risks and protection for communities in Santa Clara County. The Fire Safe Council’s programs protect thousands of residents and homes and bring together individuals, public and private agencies and companies that share a common, vested interest in preventing and reducing losses from wildfires. SCFSC programs and projects focus on protecting the many communi- ties at risk for wildfire in Santa Clara County, including Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy. Homes, schools, businesses and important infrastructure such as power transmission lines, communication facilities, creeks and reservoirs are all present in these areas. These communities are at risk of wildfires because of the interaction of topography, drought, tree mortality, and flammable vegetation such as chaparral and grasslands. In response to the threat of wild- fires, we are constantly working to create a “Fire Safe” Santa Clara County — protecting lives, homes and the environment through the reduction of built-up hazardous fuels and the promotion of informed communities with respect to defensible space, general fire safety, and fire’s impacts on our environment. I invite you to learn more about the Fire Safe Council at sccfiresafe.org GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 gmhtoday.com 65