Board adopts proclamations for Fentanyl Awareness Day and Wildfire Preparedness Month; local partners highlight harm reduction and defensible‑space work

The Lake County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted two proclamations during its April 21 meeting.

For Fentanyl Awareness Day (April 29), Mary Gross, Health Services Program Coordinator for SafeRx at Lake County Health Services, urged continued focus on prevention, education and harm-reduction tools. "On this day, we honor the lives we have lost to fentanyl overdose while standing united in our commitment to prevention, education, and action," Gross said. She reported that SafeRx maintains eight Naloxone (Narcan) 'news stands' across the county providing free naloxone 24 hours a day, and emphasized the importance of reducing stigma and expanding access to test strips and overdose reversal drugs.

The board also adopted a proclamation declaring May 2026 Wildfire Community Preparedness Month. Vice Chair Paiske and several Fire Safe Council representatives and chiefs stressed defensible-space practices—particularly 'Zone 0' (five feet around structures)—and highlighted regional collaboration and millions of dollars in recent state and federal grants for fuel reduction. Local Fire Safe Council members and chiefs urged residents to clear gutters, remove vegetation near structures, and attend upcoming community events such as a local Firewise summit and wildfire expo.

Both proclamations were followed by public acknowledgement of partner agencies and a photo opportunity.

What happens next: County health partners will continue Narcan distribution and education; fire-preparedness partners will distribute information and host community events during Wildfire Preparedness Month.