La Plata County will host its Fire Ready Expo in May at the county fairgrounds.
The event will feature three panels focused on the upcoming fire season outlook, public safety power shutoffs and the new wildfire resiliency code, said Rob Farino, director of the office of emergency management. Attendees can also take part in hands-on demonstrations, connect with mitigation contractors and tour a Red Cross evacuation shelter display.
The goal of the Expo is to help residents understand risks and take practical steps to prepare before fire conditions worsen, he said.
There will be a chain saw safety class for homeowners doing their own defensible space work, a raffle, and local fire departments will attend ‒ offering education, displays and kids’ activities, Farino said.
The county expects a strong turnout after about 300 people attended last year, a number driven by heightened wildfire concerns and below-average snowpack.
The Expo comes as the county continues rolling out its LPC Alerts system and public education around emergency notifications. A countywide test of the federal Wireless Emergency Alert system is scheduled for noon Saturday and will send a message to all cellphones in the area.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 9, at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
