In California preparations are underway for what is expected to be a difficult and dangerous fire season. According to Cal FIRE, in the first five months of this year they’ve responded to more than 2,000 fires, 50 percent more than the average. Staffing has been doubled following what officials have called the driest winter on record for the state and they say it’s only a matter of time before another catastrophic series of wildfires happens again.

Meanwhile, in the mountain hillsides of North San Diego, the Santa Ysabel Tribe is doing its part to prepare tribal members and the surrounding community for what could be in store. A Preparedness Fiesta was recently held on the Santa Ysabel Reservation in the tribe’s casino parking lot near Lake Henshaw near the towns of Santa Ysabel and Warner Springs. The lot was filled with emergency vendors, fire trucks and firemen, as well as local law enforcement from around North San Diego County. The timing could not be more appropriate as fire officials have said dry brush conditions from sparse rainfall have left the reservation susceptible to dangerous fire conditions.

Tribal Chairman Virgil Perez says the event was held because they want to be prepared and want not only tribal residents, but the surrounding community to be ready when disaster happens.

“As reservations go, we’ve always been isolated. We wanted to start having stronger relationships in being a community as a whole, when it comes to a disaster, it’s natural for people to come together, it’s part of the healing process,” Perez said.

The Santa Ysabel Tribe has announced its firm support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community as it strives for same-sex marriage equality and an end to governmental discrimination.

Santa Ysabel is one of only four Tribes in the U.S., and the only Tribe in California, to date, to recognize same sex marriage, according to the tribe’s press release.

The Santa Ysabel Tribe's announcement came as the Supreme Court was contemplating the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Californians awaited a decision regarding the legality of Proposition 8 in their state. DOMA denied federal benefits to gay couples who are legally married in their states, including Social Security survivor benefits, immigration rights and family leave.

On Wednesday the Supreme Court struck down DOMA, drafted in 1996, and it allowed gay marriage to resume in California by declining to rule on a challenge to Proposition 8, a ban on gay marriage in California passed by resident voters in 2008.

Lt. Gavin Newsom told NBC News that gay marriage would resume in California within 30 days.

The Tribe's announcement also comes on the heels of President Obama's speech at the Brandenburg Berlin Gate last week, as he called for fairness and equality for all, specifically mentioning the LGBT community. Santa Ysabel is also committed to promoting the principle of non-discrimination and to passing the support onto communities within their Nation.

"Although the Tribe has certainly come far, they won't ever forget the sting of prejudice, or stand passively by when others suffer discrimination or denial of basic human rights," said Virgil Perez, Tribal chairman. "Native Americans have fought hard to establish and protect their own rights, and Santa Ysabel is determined to support our own, and other same sex couples in their struggle to be recognized and treated fairly as citizens of this great nation."

The Santa Ysabel Tribe owns and operates the Santa Ysabel Resort & Casino, located near the mountain town of Julian, and considers it a welcoming place for all races, cultures and genders. Overlooking Lake Henshaw, the area is surrounded by wilderness and is close to ample outdoor activities and historical landmarks.

"In our support of their battle for equality," said Perez, "we want the LGBT community to know they are welcome here, and that the encouragement and respect of our membership are with them."