This homeowner created a five foot Zone 0 buffer using smart landscaping and noncombustible materials—and they still have a yard with grass, trees, and flowers spaced out with nothing flammable right against the home. “Zone 0 isn’t about going bare,” says State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant. “It’s about smart spacing and fire-resistant choices.” Homes with […]
This Home is Wildfire Ready – Is Yours? Read More »
As of July 1, 2021, California Assembly Bill 38 (AB 38) states that the seller of a residential property located in specified zones must submit documentation of compliance with locally adopted defensible space requirements prior to the close of escrow. The new home hardening and defensible space disclosure requirement in California, related to Assembly Bill 38,
Sellers Be Aware: New Disclosures Read More »
September is National Preparedness Month. It’s an annual observance sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to remind everyone to prepare for emergencies and disasters. For years, we have been talking about “Fire Season.” The trend in articles lately is to say Fire Season is now year-round. So, as we move into this dangerous period
Santa Ana Wind Season Read More »
Education=Action. Your Oak Park Fire Safe Council continues to work toward educating our community on how best to prepare for wildfires and protect our homes. Thank you to all of you who stopped by our table at the Concert in the Park event on July 12th in Oak Park. It was wonderful to have the chance
OPFSC August 2025 Update Read More »
Will your trash cans burn? Watch the video to see if your guess is correct. Trash cans should always be moved at least 5 feet away from the house and any combustible material on: Red Flag days Voluntary Evacuation (Set!) orders are given Mandatory Evacuation (Go!) orders are given Video:Thanks to NIST (National Fire Research
Will Trash Cans Burn Read More »
This home received a Wildfire Prepared Home Designation Certificate. When Janet Jackson moved to Oak Park from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1998, she unwittingly began the process of hardening her home against California’s destructive wildfires. Jackson’s father, John Kachuta, a contractor, convinced her to replace the vinyl gate on the side of the house to metal.
Model Hardened Home in Oak Park Read More »
IS YOUR HOME FIRE SAFE? Find out with a FREE assessment. With wildfires seemingly a year-round reality in California, staving off devastation with home hardening strategies has become as common as earthquake preparedness. To help with fire preparedness, FREE, confidential home assessments are available through the Oak Park Fire Council and affiliated regional groups. Russell
Board Updates – Chipper Day, Friday May 30th We hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. As we finish out National Wildfire Awareness Month, we look ahead to summer with anticipation about what fire issues the large amount of dry vegetation in our surrounding areas may bring to our neighborhoods. If you
OPFSC June 2025 Update Read More »
The Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains Community Resilience team, with a grant from CAL FIRE, created a series of videos to help communities become more wildfire-resilient. The videos cover wildfire preparedness, fire ecology and how-to’s for home-hardening and defensible space! LINKS TO GREAT EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS: (Click on the links below) Home Hardening
Home Hardening and Defensible Space Videos Read More »
May is National Wildfire Awareness month!! It’s time to start focusing on the upcoming fire season (it’s always fire season) and ways you can protect your home and our community! Home Hardening Your Oak Park Fire Safe Council has some new and exciting additions to our website that you may find very useful! Under the Resources
OPFSC May 2025 Update Read More »
