Highway 330 will now be designated as the Steve Faris Memorial Highway, as the resolution proposed by Senator Bob Dutton received unanimous support from both the California Senate and Assembly last week. State Senator Dutton introduced the resolution in May as a means on honoring CalFire Batallion Chief Faris, who died in a September 2006 automobile accident. Battalion Chief Faris, who has been dubbed the “Godfather of Fire Safe Councils,” has been described by the senator as a friendly, giving and passionate person and, prompting the Highway 330 designation, Dutton has said, “Chief Faris was intimately involved in the establishment and operation of local Fire Safe Councils along with the Mountain Area Safety Taskforce bringing together local, state and federal agencies in order to enhance public safety in the mountain communities. His efforts contributed significantly to the successful evacuation and life saving efforts during the Old Fire in 2003.” In fact, it was during this time that Faris spent countless hours driving Highway 330, as he promoted safety in the mountain communities. The Steve Faris Memorial Highway dedication on Highway 330 will likely take place in the fall; signage funds will come from private donations.
