For the past five years, Central Fire has actively engaged with Firewise communities to educate homeowners about defensible space, evacuation routes, road clearances, and communication via MURS radios. They’ve visited homes, walked properties, investigated egress routes, recommended address, street, and fire truck signs, and identified problem areas in Zone 0 (0-5 feet), Zone 1 (5-30 feet), and Zone 2 (30-100 feet). As a Firewise leader, I’m grateful for their guidance, which has provided invaluable tips on protecting our homes from wildfires.
Now, Central Fire is stepping up its efforts. With the increasing devastation caused by wildfires across California, CalFire has mandated that fire departments enforce Zone 0 regulations. This means that Central Fire—and all fire departments across California—will no longer overlook combustible materials within five feet of homes. Instead, they will conduct unannounced inspections and issue citations for noncompliance. This is a significant step forward in ensuring fire safety for our communities.
California’s Wildfire Protection Laws: AB 3074 & SB 504
In response to escalating wildfire risks, California enacted AB 3074 (2020) and SB 504 (2024), requiring homeowners to take specific fire-hardening measures:
• AB 3074 (2020): Introduced the “ember-resistant zone”, requiring homeowners to maintain a five-foot buffer around their homes, free of flammable materials.
• SB 504 (2024): Strengthened enforcement mechanisms, empowering fire departments to issue fines for noncompliance.
By adhering to these laws, homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of wildfire damage and contribute to a fire-resilient community.
Creative Fireproofing Solutions for Zone 0
Retrofitting your home for wildfire resistance doesn’t have to mean sacrificing aesthetics. There are innovative ways to eliminate combustibles while maintaining visual appeal:
• Replace hedges with decorative tile or stone walls for an elegant and fire-safe boundary.
• Cover wooden planters with tile or stone to maintain a lush garden without fire risk.
• Use fire-resistant potted plants, such as succulents, arranged creatively to enhance curb appeal.
• Repurpose tile and marble samples from local stores to create non-combustible, artistic garden features.
Key Steps for Retrofitting Your Home’s Exterior
1. Ember-Resistant Zone (0-5 Feet from Home)
• Remove all combustible materials such as mulch, dried leaves, firewood, and wooden furniture.
• Replace flammable landscaping (juniper, pine, bamboo) with fire-resistant plants like succulents or rock gardens.
• Install non-combustible hardscaping (concrete, gravel, stone walkways).
• Use metal or Class A fire-rated roofing materials instead of wood shake shingles.
2. Fire-Resistant Siding and Walls
• Replace wooden or vinyl siding with non-combustible materials like fiber cement, stucco, or metal.
• Seal gaps and cracks in siding and foundations with fire-resistant caulking to prevent ember intrusion.
• Install fireproof skirting around raised foundations and decks to prevent embers from accumulating underneath.
3. Defensible Space (5-100 Feet from Home)
• Maintain defensible space by clearing dry vegetation and trimming overhanging tree branches at least 10 feet from roofs.
• Store firewood and propane tanks at least 30 feet from structures.
• Space trees at least 10 feet apart and keep grass mowed to less than 4 inches.
4. Fire-Resistant Windows and Doors
• Upgrade to tempered glass windows, which are more resistant to heat and flames.
• Install metal mesh screens (1/16-inch to 1/8-inch) on vents to prevent embers from entering attics and crawl spaces.
• Use non-combustible or fire-rated doors, such as those made from metal or solid-core wood.
5. Roofing and Gutter Protection
• Opt for a Class A fire-rated roof (asphalt shingles, metal, clay, or concrete tiles).
• Install metal drip edges to protect exposed roof sheathing.
• Use gutter guards or keep gutters clean to prevent dry debris from catching embers.
6. Fire-Resistant Decking and Fencing
• Replace wooden decks with fire-rated composite materials or metal.
• Use metal fencing near structures instead of wood, which can easily ignite.
7. Water Supply and Fire Tools
• Ensure easy access to a water source, such as an outdoor hose with a high-pressure nozzle.
• Keep fire-resistant tools (rake, shovel, and metal buckets) on hand for emergency use.
Final Thoughts
Fire safety is no longer optional—compliance with California’s wildfire protection laws is now being actively enforced. Taking steps to eliminate combustible materials within five feet of your home and implementing fire-resistant upgrades will help protect your property, ensure regulatory compliance, and strengthen community resilience.
By sharing before-and-after photos of creative, fire-safe retrofits, we can inspire and educate other homeowners. Together, we can make our neighborhoods safer from wildfires and create homes that are both beautiful and fire-resistant.
For the past five years, Central Fire has actively engaged with Firewise communities to educate homeowners about defensible space, evacuation routes, road clearances, and communication via MURS radios. They’ve visited homes, walked properties, investigated egress routes, recommended address, street, and fire truck signs, and identified problem areas in Zone 0 (0-5 feet), Zone 1 (5-30 feet), and Zone 2 (30-100 feet). As a Firewise leader, I’m grateful for their guidance, which has provided invaluable tips on protecting our homes from wildfires.
Now, Central Fire is stepping up its efforts. With the increasing devastation caused by wildfires across California, CalFire has mandated that fire departments enforce Zone 0 regulations. This means that Central Fire—and all fire departments across California—will no longer overlook combustible materials within five feet of homes. Instead, they will conduct unannounced inspections and issue citations for noncompliance. This is a significant step forward in ensuring fire safety for our communities.
California’s Wildfire Protection Laws: AB 3074 & SB 504
In response to escalating wildfire risks, California enacted AB 3074 (2020) and SB 504 (2024), requiring homeowners to take specific fire-hardening measures:
• AB 3074 (2020): Introduced the “ember-resistant zone”, requiring homeowners to maintain a five-foot buffer around their homes, free of flammable materials.
• SB 504 (2024): Strengthened enforcement mechanisms, empowering fire departments to issue fines for noncompliance.
By adhering to these laws, homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of wildfire damage and contribute to a fire-resilient community.
Creative Fireproofing Solutions for Zone 0
Retrofitting your home for wildfire resistance doesn’t have to mean sacrificing aesthetics. There are innovative ways to eliminate combustibles while maintaining visual appeal:
• Replace hedges with decorative tile or stone walls for an elegant and fire-safe boundary.
• Cover wooden planters with tile or stone to maintain a lush garden without fire risk.
• Use fire-resistant potted plants, such as succulents, arranged creatively to enhance curb appeal.
• Repurpose tile and marble samples from local stores to create non-combustible, artistic garden features.
Key Steps for Retrofitting Your Home’s Exterior
1. Ember-Resistant Zone (0-5 Feet from Home)
• Remove all combustible materials such as mulch, dried leaves, firewood, and wooden furniture.
• Replace flammable landscaping (juniper, pine, bamboo) with fire-resistant plants like succulents or rock gardens.
• Install non-combustible hardscaping (concrete, gravel, stone walkways).
• Use metal or Class A fire-rated roofing materials instead of wood shake shingles.
2. Fire-Resistant Siding and Walls
• Replace wooden or vinyl siding with non-combustible materials like fiber cement, stucco, or metal.
• Seal gaps and cracks in siding and foundations with fire-resistant caulking to prevent ember intrusion.
• Install fireproof skirting around raised foundations and decks to prevent embers from accumulating underneath.
3. Defensible Space (5-100 Feet from Home)
• Maintain defensible space by clearing dry vegetation and trimming overhanging tree branches at least 10 feet from roofs.
• Store firewood and propane tanks at least 30 feet from structures.
• Space trees at least 10 feet apart and keep grass mowed to less than 4 inches.
4. Fire-Resistant Windows and Doors
• Upgrade to tempered glass windows, which are more resistant to heat and flames.
• Install metal mesh screens (1/16-inch to 1/8-inch) on vents to prevent embers from entering attics and crawl spaces.
• Use non-combustible or fire-rated doors, such as those made from metal or solid-core wood.
5. Roofing and Gutter Protection
• Opt for a Class A fire-rated roof (asphalt shingles, metal, clay, or concrete tiles).
• Install metal drip edges to protect exposed roof sheathing.
• Use gutter guards or keep gutters clean to prevent dry debris from catching embers.
6. Fire-Resistant Decking and Fencing
• Replace wooden decks with fire-rated composite materials or metal.
• Use metal fencing near structures instead of wood, which can easily ignite.
7. Water Supply and Fire Tools
• Ensure easy access to a water source, such as an outdoor hose with a high-pressure nozzle.
• Keep fire-resistant tools (rake, shovel, and metal buckets) on hand for emergency use.
Final Thoughts
Fire safety is no longer optional—compliance with California’s wildfire protection laws is now being actively enforced. Taking steps to eliminate combustible materials within five feet of your home and implementing fire-resistant upgrades will help protect your property, ensure regulatory compliance, and strengthen community resilience.
By sharing before-and-after photos of creative, fire-safe retrofits, we can inspire and educate other homeowners. Together, we can make our neighborhoods safer from wildfires and create homes that are both beautiful and fire-resistant.
The NRG Firewise event at the Locatelli Ranch was more than just a Firewise meeting. Some neighbors from our 260-household community met for the first time (in over 20 years!) and others reconnected as they came together for a common goal: learn what we can do to prepare for the inevitable wildfire.
Eighteen experts presented their “elevator speeches” to educate and inspire the guests. Supervisor Manu Koenig opened with good news about 2 road repairs and what we can do to move along easement issues that are holding up the third road repair. These speakers discussed how emergency communication works from the OR3 (9-1-1) to Central Fire/Cal Fire to ARES (ham radio). The sheriff explained how CodeRED sends out messages to those with cell reception and electricity, and then how they knock on doors when power is out. CalFire discussed Zonehaven, and how we need to “Know Your Zone” to get evacuation orders. We encouraged all guests to get the 4” white reflective address signs so fire and EMS can find homes when it’s dark and smoky.
Central Fire shared their upcoming Evacuation Smarts classes and what homeowners need to do to clear all combustible material around homes. We even learned equine evacuation tips. To encourage neighbors and road associations to work together, Rod Caborn gave tips on how to plan work parties to get the jobs done. RCD explained how families can get free chipping services.
Keith Trinity and Eric Swenson preprogrammed the Bao Feng UV-82C radios for our community. These MURS radios don’t require licenses (like ham radios) and they’re programmed so our entire community can connect on them. We can even hear fire, sheriff, and PG&E radio transmissions and the radios have been locked so we don’t accidentally interrupt those channels.
My daughter Nicole D’Arcy, ER doctor at Santa Clara County Valley Medical Center, gave tips on wearing non-synthetic materials during evacuations (synthetic fabrics melt on skin) and how to treat burns (with honey) and other injuries. One of my college advisory students, Sean Gomez, presented his cyber deck project that is designed to help our Firewise community during catastrophic disasters.
Our vendors brought innovative solutions using water from pools to refill fire trucks and roof-top sprinkler systems. Guests brought their metal fire extinguishers to be refilled at the event. California Fair Plan and State Farm agents were available to answer questions about non-renewed policies and to offer 10% and 2% discounts, respectively, for our community because we are now Firewise recognized.
During lunch, Harpin’ Jonny and Clark played the harmonica and guitar – creating excellent entertainment. Guests enjoyed delicious burritos from Taqueria Vallarta. And the best part – guests talked to Central Fire, Cal Fire, the sheriff, Dr. D’Arcy, vendors, and other neighbors. We had over a dozen Firewise leaders from nearby communities join us to collaborate and discuss working together.
After the 2 sessions of speeches, Carlon’s Fire Protection demonstrated how to use a fire extinguisher and allowed guests to put out fires. Then Frank Locatelli and I demonstrated how to safely use a chainsaw. Frank used his gas-powered chainsaw, and I used my 10-inch battery-powered Makita. Both cut through tree branches like they were butter.
Thanks to the Locatellis for preparing their property for 150+ guests. Special thanks to Manu Koenig, David Reid, Keith Trinity, Eric Swenson, John Gerhardt, David Dean, Marco Mack, and Nicole D’Arcy for speaking during the first session.
Thanks to Marco Mack, Nick Baldridge, Sean Murray, Tony Akin, Angie Richman, Rod Caborn, Crystal English, Phil Irwin, and Sean Gomez for speaking during the last session. Appreciate vendors Cindy Weigelt, Karen Corscadden, Drew Hogner, Alicia Murdock, and Danny Cortazzo for sharing their services and products with our community.
We are fortunate to have a responsive and supportive fire department. Central Fire’s Chief John Walbridge, Marshal Mike DeMars, Deputy Marshal Marco Mack, and Wildland Fire Hazard Specialist Tony Akin – and incoming Chief Jason Nee – have coached and guided me as I organized our NRG Firewise community. They’ve met with our road associations, individual homeowners, and nearby Firewise groups to give us tools we need to protect our homes.
Thanks to Carolyn Stallard and Dave Warren for helping with Firewise maps and spreadsheets, and thanks to our event volunteers: Teresa and Frank Locatelli, Nate Pickens, Kelly Gardner, Rick and Ruth Moe, Dania Moss, Rod Caborn, Spencer Balliet, Keith Gudger, and Becky Steinbruner.
Are you confused about what to do if a wildfire heads your way? You hear about people who refuse to leave their homes during evacuations — and die. Then you hear about people who do leave their homes but could have saved them by staying home and putting out embers that get caught in their eaves. As 2019 California Mother of the Year, I’ve been blogging about fire prevention for 2 seasons and thought I understood everything there was to know about fires. I was wrong.
I just met with Tony Akin, fire inspector, and Marco Mack, deputy fire marshal, last week to make sure my house and acreage were safe from wildfires. We had just completed our weed whacking and limbing of trees to clear 100 feet from our home. Because we’re located on a steep hillside in a gulch, the way a fire would approach our house is different than how it might approach our neighbor’s house on the other side of the hill. They recommended that I remove 3 trees that were next to the house and the trumpet vines that I had meticulously groomed up the wrought iron railing to my front door.
Apparently, these 3 trees and the trumpet vines would light up and create a direct line of fire to my front door! Who knew? I’m chain sawing the trees and removing the vines next week! Then I learned that if I replaced my ¼” attic screens with 1/8” screens, they could prevent embers from flying into my attic and starting a house fire. New 1/8” screens are going in next week too! They told me that those little embers could lodge themselves in the tiny spaces around our fascia boards. By just caulking around fascia boards, I could prevent an ember from destroying my house. Phew, I can do that!
To manage the risk of a fire approaching my home when it’s not safe to drive away, the Fire District recommends that I work with my neighbors to establish Safety Zones. This is an area that will provide a safe location for the type of fire intensity that is approaching my location. It would be protected from radiant heat, have no combustible vegetation, have hardened structures to prevent ignition, and be in the area that doesn’t support high-intensity fires. This safety zone will need to be updated each year to ensure that the location continues to be hardened and safe.
They recommended that I go across the road to the Locatelli Ranch because it is a proposed Safety Zone. There’s enough clearing there for many neighbors to be safe from high intensity wildfire. A Safety Zone is a good alternative when your evacuation route may not be safe including a drive down our one- and two-lane road, where your car is stopped at a bottleneck disaster like what happened in Paradise in 2018. Please work with your Fire Department to validate possible Safety Zone locations.
Residents in rural areas, like me, who might become trapped outside during evacuation or plan to escape to an outside Safety Zone, should prepare a go-bag with safety clothing that will resist burning embers and protect your hair and skin, and safety goggles to protect your eyes.
Every home has different problems and will encounter fire behavior in different ways. This is just my situation and what I can do to mitigate wildfires. You can contact your local fire inspector to give you free advice on how to protect your home and what to do if a wildfire approaches your home. If you live in Soquel/Capitola, call 831.316.3803 or email RSG@centralFPD.com; Aptos, call 831.316.3804 or email RSG@aptosfire.com. This was the most important meeting I’ve had about how to protect my family and home. You can also take a class at your community college on fire prevention or hire a certified contractor who can advise you and do the work needed. Take action now to protect your homes from wildfires!