DFSC News: Gifts, Guides, and Homeowner News

Great Gifts, Multilingual Tips, Zone 0

With the holiday season starting, it’s a good time to think about gifts reaching out to neighbors. First though, we have to think about Zone 0.

SPOTLIGHT: Know the Rules

New homeowner rules for plantings and other Zone 0 restrictions may finally be coming after a year of anticipation. That means no more putting off preparations.

NPR reported that even people who have historically taken steps to be fire-safe may be surprised when the rules are introduced:

"Most people who are compliant now, won't be compliant,” according to Frank Bigelow, assistant deputy director of Cal Fire's Community Wildfire Preparedness & Mitigation.

If a friend forwarded this to you, be sure to subscribe to get updated when the details are announced!

Photo of California state capitol building.

Home Hardening: Proven Results

At the site of a fire safety demonstration, a firefighter stands in front of smoldering structure and part of a surviving structure.

Photo credit: CAL FIRE

Photos and videos of a recent IBHS Zone 0 demonstration make it very clear that home hardening is essential.

Two housing structures were built for the demo, one that met home hardening requirements and one that did not. Firefighters set fire to fuel at the edges and the results were exactly what unprepared homeowners fear: The home without Zone 0 fire breaks and correct construction burned completely in minutes.

The good news is the other house survived intact. One more example that proves new requirements and CAL FIRE guidance save homes and lives.

Click to see highlights from the demonstration!

OES Listos Gifts and Emergency Guides

Listos and the Office of Emergency Services have created a gift guide for the holidays with simple ways to give loved ones peace of mind.

Whether you are able to supply an emergency go bag or simply help draft a list of emergency contacts, there are many ways to be generous and truly helpful.

Multilingual Wildfire Guides

Listos provides information and outreach to traditionally underserved communities. This includes preparedness information in 12 different languages for wildfires and other natural disasters.

“Stay Safe in Wildfire” tip sheets are easy to share with family, friends, or neighbors who are not native English-speakers.

Banner that reads: LISTOS CALIFORNIA CONSEJOS DE PREPARACIÓN PARA EMERGENCIAS MANTÉNGASE A SALVO EN UN INCENDIO FOREST

Support your community by supporting DFSC!

Diablo Firesafe Council is your partner in wildfire prevention for Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Our volunteers work tirelessly to help communities with home hardening, fuel clearing, and arranging funding for major projects. Please support this work with a small donation right now.