Joe Denham, one of Sierra RCD’s newest Board Members, joined the District in October 2023. Over the past year, he has both observed and participated in multiple SRCD projects. Joe has been involved in the formation of a Firewise Community, implemented fuels reduction and watershed restoration in the Creek Fire burn scar, and organized a Townhall with Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig.
A Fresno County native, Joe began his career as a firefighter for the US Forest Service and CalFire before becoming a utility forester with PG&E. In 2020, his family moved to a property that was affected by the Creek Fire. After joining the SRCD Board, Joe became a lead for the forming Bald Mountain Firewise Community, with strong support from SRCD. “The District made the process easy for me,” Joe explained when discussing how his neighborhood applied for certification with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). He now advocates for prioritizing the Firewise USA Program in high-risk fire zones. Reflecting on its impact, Joe shared, “neighbors have really taken it to heart, learning how to harden their homes and make them safer from wildfire.”
Since Joe joined the Board, SRCD has helped certify eight additional Firewise Communities in Eastern Fresno County. One of his goals is to ensure all residents in the area join a Firewise Community.
Joe is also eager to help SRCD rehabilitate and protect forested lands. He’s been “impressed with the District’s ability to build strong partnerships with government agencies and organizations,” which he believes will lead to future improvements in forest conservation. In his free time, Joe enjoys exploring his property with his children. SRCD is grateful for Joe’s dedication to being a steward of our forest resources in Eastern Fresno County.
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