Over the weekend, a passionate group of community members came together at the Manchester Grange. As a contribution to the exciting effort to breathe new life into the Grange, the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council (MCFSC), alongside Fire Safe Point Arena, hosted a lively Community Work Party. The event aimed to teach wildfire home-hardening techniques, and then get everyone working together hands-on to help make the Grange safer from wildfire.

This event was the kickoff for a new MCFSC Community Work Party program, designed to educate but also to motivate and energize community members to get work done making their neighborhoods wildfire-resilient. The council brought in two seasoned crew members, a powerful chipper, and three dedicated staff members to help lead the day’s efforts.

The day began with a one-hour walk around the Manchester Grange building, led by MCFSC Executive Director Scott Cratty, discussing how to make structures more fire-resilient. Using the Grange as an example, we explored the three main ways fire can affect a building or home during a wildfire – radiant heat, direct flame and wind-borne embers – and what steps you can take to protect a property from each of them. For example, we discussed how focusing on Zone 0, by clearing all flammable material five feet from the house and six inches up the walls, helps prevent embers from igniting your home.

After assessing the Grange, we got to work! With a group of dedicated volunteers, we cleared a massive amount of ladder fuels, cleaned the roof of pine needles, raked five feet out from the building, replaced open vents with ⅛-inch mesh, and removed flammable materials around the building’s base. It was an inspiring experience, with snacks and drinks to fuel the team.

Thank you to Fire Safe Point Arena and the Manchester Grange for helping to organize such an impactful day of community service!