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
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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
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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
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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
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“In both the Eaton and Palisades Fires, I did not see many homesthat survived without evidence of some type of defensive action.” Lessons from the 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires By Yana Valachovic, UC Cooperative Extension advisor, visited Palisades and Eaton Fires The UC ANR fire expert highlights materials, components and actions that saved homes from
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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
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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
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May is National Wildfire Awareness Month. It’s a time to focus on prevention and preparedness for wildfires, especially as warmer weather and drying vegetation increase the risk of wildfires. The month highlights the importance of being ready for potential wildfires and encourages individuals to take steps to protect themselves and their homes. On Monday, May
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Resource Conservation District of Santa Monica Mountains is hosting a Community Wildfire Mitigation Training event at the Calabasas Community Center. Please Join Wildfire Expert Instructor Pat Durland at a FREE Community Wildfire Mitigation Training When: Friday evening, May 23, and Saturday, May 24, 2025 Where: Calabasas Community Center: 27040 Malibu Hills Rd, Calabasas, CA 91301
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