The following is a press release published by KBYU: Round Valley Community Radio in Covelo, CA:
As the August Complex fire neared 100% containment at the end of October, KYBU: Round Valley Community Radio in Covelo, CA was presented with two awards for excellence in broadcasting from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
CAL FIRE officially recognized the station with an award for exceptional dedication to providing “factual and timely fire information to the community” and recognized that “this effort helped to save lives.”
Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall presented a Sheriff’s Service Award, stating “Due to the devastating and unprecedented wildfires which occurred in the 2020 August Complex, our communities were again put to the test. KYBU Radio assisted the community throughout this difficult time by providing fire updates to all of our residents as well as people outside of the Round Valley Area who were concerned about their loved ones and personal property. The assistance provided to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office as well as CAL FIRE has been truly amazing and we are grateful. The work of KYBU is a true testimonial to the tenacity of our small communities within Mendocino County.”
During the seven weeks in which the August Complex threatened the Round Valley Area KYBU broadcast over sixty on-air interviews with the Sheriff and CAL FIRE, often twice a day, and posted hourly fire updates on the broadcast schedule. The fire interviews and updates were also posted on the KYBU website and accessible to those outside of the local broadcast area. The fire interviews and fire information links on the website were also available in Spanish.
KYBU Round Valley Community Radio is an all volunteer, member supported community radio station that began broadcasting to Covelo/Round Valley listeners at 96.9 FM in 2011. KYBU broadcasts a mix of music, talk and public affairs programming. Everyone is invited to join! KYBU is a project of the 501(c)3 nonprofit, Friends of the Round Valley Public Library.
For more information, visit’s KYBU website at ?www.kyburadio.org?.
