Committee raises evacuation and fire-mitigation concerns tied to tree-marking limits and plant layout

Chair described recent work with county and fire partners to develop an emergency evacuation plan and recounted a media account where evacuation that should have taken minutes took hours because many people left at once; the Chair argued the district must finish its evacuation planning and mitigation work. "We got the emergency evacuation notice almost immediately," the Chair said, citing that example as motivation to complete evacuation and mitigation planning.

Committee members noted a prior tree inventory (2007) was done as part of developer requirements and that certain oak trees are marked and cannot be removed; members discussed the practicality of cutting fuel near the plant to create defensible space, the presence of a nearby fire hydrant, and the need to coordinate with county programs and the RMA (Rancho Murieta Association). Staff agreed to follow up with RMA and county contacts and to post related guidance for residents.