Fire Safety

This page intends to provide information regarding proven actions initiated by our HOA Board of Directors to reduce our community fire exposure; as well as effective actions individual households can take to prepare their property and families to be safer and resilient in these conditions. The process we are now pursuing to make our surrounding open space wildfire resistant is called fuel reduction, or fire mitigation; wherein we are removing accumulated excess forest wood and brush that can turn containable grass fires into wildfires.
 
We are also providing links to processes proven to make individual residences and their landscaping more fire resistant. This has been referred to as “fire-hardening” our properties; and includes well researched, proven, and ultimately understandable, simple and direct actions to reduce or eliminate common vulnerabilities of residences to wildfire. Our stucco exteriors and tile roofs make this process much simpler; but don’t eliminate all exposures.
 
Equally important, we will provide planning suggestions for before, during, and after an evacuation. Obviously we all hope that we never have another evacuation. Preparation and planning however, makes this potential process much less chaotic; creating a shared family understanding as to what specific actions need to be taken, and in what order. Evacuation checklists reduce the fear that something important will be forgotten.
 
NIXLE REGISTRATION
 
The Homeowner’s Association encourages residents to follow the recommendations of all emergency service organizations and register for text messaging of emergency conditions affecting our community through a service called NIXLE, at nixle.com.  This service will provide you with the most current local updates in emergency situations. 
 
OPEN SPACE FIRE PREVENTION
 
Since July 29,2021 fire mitigation experts under contract with our Homeowners Association have been engaged in a 7 week initial phase of progressive wood fuel reduction and pruning in the hills surrounding our community. There are decades of downed wood and trees in our open space groves. This prevention strategy will improve the health of our groves of trees, their wildfire resistance, and the reduction of blown embers from burning hardwood. It is proven strategy toward preventing grass fires from becoming wildfires, and greatly reduces blown embers.
 
FIRE SAFETY FOR OUR RESIDENCES
 
Community-based fire safety includes the necessity of each homeowner engaging in the understanding and completing of a set of known, effective safety actions on their own property; and collaborating with neighbors wherever possible.
 
Remember, the main reason for implementing defensible space is to protect your home from an advancing wildfire. Fire hardening should be part of your overall plan. By fire hardening we mean the steps you can take to reduce the chance of ignition from direct flame, firebrand showers and radiant heat coming from outside of the defensible zone.
 
The best chance for a home to survive a wildfire is its construction materials and the quality of defensible space surrounding it. Embers from a wildfire may find the weak link in your home’s fire protection and gain the upper hand because of a small, overlooked or seemingly inconsequential factor.
 
 
These brief videos should help with home fire safety principles:
Further Information on “Defensible Space” can be reached through these links:
 
EVACUATION PLANNING
 
It is important to have a plan. Write up your Wildfire Action Plan and post it in a location where every member of the family can see it. Rehearse it often. GO EARLY By leaving early, you give your family the best chance of surviving a wildfire. You also help firefighters by keeping roads clear of congestion, enabling them to move more freely and do their job.
 
In the event of an evacuation, we want you to be as prepared as possible. This involves having the necessary supplies to care for you and your family.
 
Take time to prepare an emergency supply kit (Go-Bag). Not sure what to pack? 
 
 
RED FLAG DAY
 
In the event of a wildfire advisory or potential evacuation notice, there is a sequence of actions to prepare your home and family. The link below contains detailed suggestions regarding these actions. Consider making a list of the specific sequence of actions that relate to your home, family, and evacuation potential. See https://napafirewise.org/blog/it-is-a-red-flag-day-now-what/
 
More Resources
 
 
 
Our deepest thanks to napafirewise.org and firesafemarin.org for sharing their information with us.