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 »
What is Defensible Space? CAL FIRE defines Defensible Space as the buffer between your structure and the surrounding area. Adequate defensible space acts as a barrier to slow or halt the progress of fire that would otherwise engulf your property. It also helps ensure the safety of firefighters defending your home. Defensible Space is the
Let’s Talk Defensible Space Read More »
One home burned and the other did not In a recent article by LA Times, staff writer Jack Flemming, writes about a home hardening demonstration put on by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), and the California Building Industry Association. The demonstration pitted the ignitability of two tiny homes, one built to
The Tale of Two Homes Read More »
In a landmark decision, judge rules California FAIR Plan’s smoke-damage policy is illegal. A Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge said Tuesday, June 24, 2025, that the California FAIR Plan Assn.’s policy violates the insurance code because it provides less coverage than what is required by the state’s Standard Form Fire Insurance Policy. Since 2017, the plan
Judge Rules California FAIR Plan’s smoke-damage policy is illegal Read More »
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 »
