MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – An event next month will offer information for south county community members planning to rebuild or make repairs in the wake of the Valley fire.

The After the Fire Rebuilding Summit and Open House is a first stop for home and business owners as well as farmers and ranchers.

The open house will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 2, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Twin Pine Casino Event Center, 22223 Highway 29, Middletown.

Valley Fire Long-Term Recovery Coordinator Carol Huchingson said she is excited to be part of the rebuilding efforts.

“Now that the debris cleanup is almost completed, Valley fire survivors can concentrate their efforts on rebuilding,” Huchingson said. “The task force and the county are working hard to do all we can to help make the process as smooth as possible and get people thinking about the next steps in recovery here in Lake County.”

Residents of nearby communities not damaged by the Valley fire, but vulnerable to wildfires and flooding, also are encouraged to attend.

A team of experts in fire- and flood-resistant techniques will be available for one-on-one question-and-answer sessions.

Topics will include:

· State and local codes and standards.
· Building materials and construction techniques related to fire and flood prevention.
· Representatives from local businesses will have samples of fire- and flood-resistant building products.
· Landscape and forestry experts discussing the proper landscape development and forest maintenance to reduce fire and flood risk.
· Insurance representatives from flood, homeowners and business insurance agencies.
· Preserving treasures and restoring photos affected by the fire.

The Lake County Chamber of Commerce will also be present, and has invited local design professionals to be on hand to answer any questions about reconstruction.

Participants will include Cal Fire, California Fire Safety Council, California Contractors Licensing Board, California Insurance Commission, Lake County Historical Society, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, California Office of Emergency Services, National Flood Insurance Program and the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.

The Valley Fire Long-Term Recovery Task Force meeting will immediately follow the event, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Event Center, at Twin Pine Casino. This meeting is open to the public.

Recovery information can be found online at www.LakeCountyRecovers.com or at county of Lake, California Facebook page.

To learn how one savvy survivor saved his home and property from the Valley Fire by using fire-resistant techniques, click on www.fema.gov/disaster/4240 .