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| LIFE IN SOLERA | APRIL 2026 | 3 FROM THE BOARD B Ro Monro At last January's Board of Directors meeting, the Board approved to apply for the Firewise-USA program. The Firewise-USA recognition program was designed to help people learn about wildfires and how they can make their homes and neighborhoods safer from wildfires. The Firewise USA program is administered by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and coordinated locally by Riverside County Fire Department. Our community is very vulnerable to wildfires. In July and August of 2020, the Apple and El Dorado fires were within five miles of our community. Mandatory evacuation orders were in place for Oak Glen and parts of Cherry Valley. Noble Creek Regional Park was used as a base camp for firefighters and support personnel. In September 2024 the Bridge Fire burned over 56,000 acres in San Bernardino County to our northwest. Ash from the Bridge Fire was dropping in our community. Air quality was poor. About the same time, the Airport Fire started in Orange County. High winds pushed the fire into Riverside County. Our community was surrounded by smoke. Had there been a change in wind direction and velocity from either fire, our community could have been affected. This is why the Board of Directors applied to be part of the Firewise program. It was time to be pro-active instead of reactive. Here's how you can help to prepare your home from a wildfire. • Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris and pine needles that could catch embers. • Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration. • Reduce embers that could pass through vents in the eaves by installing 1/8-inch metal screening. • Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install 1/8-inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers. • Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows. A home improvement application is required to maintain Solera community standards. • Screen or box in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating. • Move anything that can burn away from wall exteriors, including mulch, f lammable plants, leaves, pine needles, and firewood piles • Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches. Once the HOA's Firewise application has been accepted and specific Firewise guidelines followed, there is a possibility that residents and the Solera HOA can receive a insurance discount under California Regulation 2644.9. There are Firewise USA pamphlets in the Mail Room. Stay tuned for additional information in the form of e-blasts, Life in Solera, articles and seminars.