Meet the Council
The Valley Center neighbors working to make our community safer from wildfire
Who we are
The Greater Valley Center Fire Safe Council is a community-based, volunteer organization dedicated to reducing wildfire risk in Valley Center, California. As part of the statewide network of fire safe councils, we work alongside the Valley Center Fire Protection District, CAL FIRE, and local partners to protect lives, homes, and the rural character of our community.
Since 2009, the council has cleared brush along key evacuation routes, including Lilac, Old Castle, Woods Valley, and Paradise Mountain Roads. Our free community chipping days have helped residents create defensible space since 2010. We also led the 2018 update of the local Community Wildfire Protection Plan, approved by CAL FIRE.
Our council
John Yeager
President
John Yeager serves as President of the Greater Valley Center Fire Safe Council, leading its wildfire prevention and education work in Valley Center. He served as a
community advisor on the council’s 2018 Community Wildfire Protection Plan, helping
shape the community’s wildfire priorities. In 2018, the Valley Center Fire Protection District honored him with its Community Service Award.
Cheri Crane
Secretary
Cheri Crane serves as Secretary of the Greater Valley Center Fire Safe Council. For 15 years, she has been a regular at Valley Center Chipping Days, clearing overgrown trees and bringing four to eight loads to each event. She is also a member of Valley Center CERT, supporting the community’s emergency response during wildfires.
Dee Chavez Harmes
Treasurer
Dee Chavez Harmes serves as Treasurer of the Greater Valley Center Fire Safe Council, making sure community support goes directly to wildfire safety projects. She also serves as Valley Center Emergency Evacuation Chair, helping the community plan for safe evacuations. Dee brings more than 40 years of financial experience to managing the council’s fire prevention funds.
Roberta Cameron
Fire Safe Council Member
Roberta Cameron serves on the board of the Greater Valley Center Fire Safe Council. Elected to the San Pasqual Tribal Council in 2021, she brings the perspective of the San Pasqual community to the council’s work. She is committed to supporting wildfire safety for Tribal communities and the broader Valley Center community.
Jim Courter
Fire Safe Council Member
Jim Courter is a longtime member of the Greater Valley Center Fire Safe Council. He wrote and coordinated the council’s 2018 Community Wildfire Protection Plan with the Valley Center Fire Protection District, CAL FIRE, and regional partners. His work helped build the council’s chipping days, evacuation-route brush clearance, and fireblocking gel programs.
We work on practical solution that reduces wildfire risk. This should be know in every household to keep our neighbors safe.
Wildfire Prevention & Fuel Reduction
Community chipping days, brush clearance along evacuation routes, and defensible space guidance.
Community Wildfire Education
Seminars, CERT training support, and Ready-Set-Go workshops.
Structural Hardening Support
Guidance and resources to reduce home ignitability from embers during wind-driven fires.