Cloverdale evacuation center seeks volunteers ahead of wildfire season

The grounds of the Cloverdale Citrus Fair in Cloverdale served as an evacuation center for residents leaving the area of the 2017 Tubbs Fire in Sonoma County and an organizing effort is underway to use the site again if needed during this year’s fire season.

Residents working to organize in advance of what seems to many the inevitable next wildfire are seeking volunteers to help staff the center, Cloverdale police said.

The fairgrounds at 1 Citrus Fair Drive provided shelter, food and information to more than 300 people in 2017, but also revealed areas that were lacking as an evacuation center, police said.

An organizational chart of what is needed for the next fire or emergency has been compiled by the Citrus Fair Evacuation Center Committee, which has been working with CERT volunteers, the city, and the American Red Cross.

Those behind the effort are asking for more volunteers who are willing to help in the next emergency and able to be away from their families for a day or more. Those interested can email Jim DeMartini at jim@cloverdalelaw.com. Volunteers can choose the best task fit for their skills from the organizational chart, police said.