Sonoma Co. Fires: Community Meetings Called For Affected Residents

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Community meetings are scheduled Thursday, Oct. 19 in Sonoma and Santa Rosa for residents returning to neighborhoods destroyed or damaged in the wildfires. The Sonoma meeting will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building, 126 First St. West. The Santa Rosa meeting will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Santa Rosa High School South Gym, 1235 Mendocino Ave.

Representatives from local, state and federal governments will address the re-population steps of re-entering affected neighborhoods; overall community cleanup process including debris and ash removal; and housing options for residents in the coming months.

Time will also be set aside for questions and conversation from residents.

"While residents are eager to start cleaning and rebuilding their homes, property owners should exercise caution and use proper protective equipment when handling any ash or hazardous materials from their property," officials with the county of Sonoma, Cal Fire and the city of Santa Rosa stated in a news release announcing the meetings.

Federal, state and local government officials have a comprehensive cleanup plan and will be identifying licensed contractors to safely remove ash and debris in a manner that protects public health and safety, according to the news release.

Part of that plan, officials said, involves the requirement that affected property owners sign a right-of-entry form to allow hazard assessment personnel access to their property. The forms will be available at Thursday's meetings and on the Sonoma County website.

"Improper handling and disposal can be harmful to property owners, children and the general public. While small scale sifting through ashes to locate any remaining personal items will not impact residents' ability to get financial assistance, private large scale removal of debris and ash should be coordinated with government officials prior to removal," officials said.

Photo: Mary Caughey, center in blue, reacts with her son Harrison, left, after finding her wedding ring in debris at her home destroyed by fires in Kenwood, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. (Jeff Chiu/Associated Press)