Meeting Wednesday to form Sheridan fire safe chapter

Staff Reports

Residents of Sheridan Acres are meeting 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Sheridan Volunteer Fire Station to form their own chapter of the Fire Safe Council.

Peggy Ristorcelli, a 26-year resident, said after reading how work done by the Pine Nut chapter helped protect homes during an Aug. 17 fire she thought it would be a good idea to start a chapter.

"The danger of a wildland fire in our area is extremely high," she said. "We, as homeowners, can have a huge influence on saving our homes during such a fire. A fire safe chapter can educate us so we can work effectively with the Sheridan Volunteer Fire Department to better protect our community."

She said the Sheridan chapter is open to anyone within the Sheridan Volunteer Fire Department's service area.

There are more than a dozen chapters of the Fire Safe Council in Douglas County, including Jobs Peak and Genoa.

Ristorcelli said Sheridan, located at Centerville Lane and Foothill Road, falls between the two. The coverage area would include the site of the 1996 Autumn Hills fire, which claimed four homes and burned 4,000 acres.

Ristorcelli said Fire Safe Council Sierra Region Project Coordinator Pat Murphy will be at the meeting to talk about what the council does and how residents can benefit from a chapter.