The rural and wooded nature of our community makes it vulnerable to wildland fire, especially in drought conditions. Given climate change, wildfire has become the number one disaster risk for our area. We have twice had fires encroach on the area, and during the CZU Lightning Fire in 2020, the entire area was evacuated. It is crucial to prepare your family for rapid evacuation and to take steps to reduce fire risk around your home.
Prepare Your Community
Fires often cover large areas. Preparation starts at the county and city level. In particular the building and maintaining of shaded fire breaks along key roads is crucial. These projects are managed by the Fire Safe Councils. They obtain state grants and work with CalTrans and private landowners.
- South Skyline Fire Safe Council
- San Mateo County Fire Safe Council
- Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council
- Santa Cruz County Fire Safe Council
Prepare Your Neighborhood
Within your neighborhood, as a group you and your neighbors can form a FireWise Community.
Neighborhood coordinators play a crucial role: residents know what’s going on in their own neighborhoods, and it’s critical to make sure that neighborhood concerns are understood and addressed in project design and implementation, both locally and regionally.
Prepare Your Home
Preparing your home and property for fire is essential. Key resources:
- Living with Wildfire — A good overview
- Defensible Space & Home Hardening — Presentation
- Be Prepared for a Wildland Fire
- The Fire Safe Councils can also provide guidance and site assessments
Stay Informed During a Fire
You will find out about fire through multiple sources — use all of them:
- Watch Duty — Real-time alerts and fire status. This is the app even fire departments use. Get it now.
- Genasys Protect (formerly Zone Haven) — Used by local fire agencies to assign evacuation zones and issue warnings and orders. Know what zone you’re in.
- County alert systems — SMC Alert and similar tools for official notifications.
- During a Wildfire - All kinds of useful links about fires, weather and fire response.
What Happens During a Fire
If a fire breaks out, the fire department will issue evacuation warnings first (evacuation may happen at any time), then orders (leave now). These come through Genasys Protect, county tools, and sometimes law enforcement going door to door. Alerts can be delayed — that’s why having all sources matters.
On large fires there will be daily briefings by the fire department, usually streamed on YouTube.
Two scenarios:
Fast-moving fire: Driven by wind, the fire moves through tree crowns and generates embers. It can cover a football field every minute or two. You must evacuate immediately — you may have very little warning. This is why neighborhood lookouts and active communication via email and text lists during fire season are so important. Be prepared to leave fast.
Slow-moving fire: The fire approaches over days. Monitor it through official sources and neighborhood communications. The key decision: will you evacuate or stay to defend?
In general — do what the fire department says, when they say it. They issue broad warnings early and want people out of harm’s way before resources are stretched. When it’s time to evacuate, leave.
We also know from the CZU fire that some neighbors saved their homes by actively defending them, especially when CalFire lacked resources to be present at the critical moment. If you decide to stay, do so only with a well-thought-out plan worked out in advance with your neighbors, taking into account your topography, your fire behavior knowledge, and your equipment and expertise. Note that fire behavior can change quickly.
Most people will not meet these requirements. Do not become someone who needs a rescue.
When in doubt, do what the fire department says.