FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 29, 2026

Contact: Crystal Medhurst [email protected]

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A Regional Invite to Ignite Connection

The 4th annual Eastern Sierra Wildfire Resilience Month begins with the region’s first Wildfire Ready Festival, Sierra Spark! on May 3 from 10am–2pm at Bishop City Park. The goal for this event is to provide wildfire safety education in a way that is approachable, engaging, and rooted in community connection.

This all-ages event will feature live music by The Felt Cutouts, local food trucks, and an interactive kid zone. Attendees can participate in hands-on workshops and demonstrations, explore educational exhibits, and connect with local organizations working toward wildfire readiness and sustainable landscapes. There will also be free green waste disposal onsite, making it easy for residents to take immediate, proactive steps to reduce wildfire risk around their homes.

Wildfire Resilience Month is an ongoing collaboration of Whitebark Institute, Mono and Inyo Counties, local agencies, and community-based organizations working together to reduce wildfire risk. For more details, visit the event blog, linked from WhitebarkInstitute.org/events.

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PARTICIPATING AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

• Whitebark Institute

• Inyo County – Ready Inyo

• Mono County – Ready Mono

• Firewise USA

• CAL FIRE

• Bureau of Land Management – Bishop Field Office

• US Wildland Fire Service

• Bishop Fire Protection District

• Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

• Southern CA Edison

• High Sierra Energy Foundation

• Sierra Forever

• Friends of the Inyo

• Camp Like a Pro

• Mono Arts Council

Food Vendors:

• Uncle Shyam Asian Street Food

• Mr. C’s Sonoran Hotdogs

• Social Blend Coffee and Ice-cream Floats

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THANKS TO FUNDERS

Funding for Wildfire Resilience Month is provided in part by Edison International, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the California Firesafe Council, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Fire Prevention Program as part of the California Climate Investments Program. We are incredibly grateful for their support.

California Climate Investments is a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Invest dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Cap-and-trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.

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