With the SCZ wildfire in 2021 too close for comfort, vegetation and overgrowth that has not burned in decades, and some insurance companies refusing to renew fire insurance, Redwood Estates has become much more proactive toward safety awareness. Even though fire departments cooperate across the state via Mutual Aid agreements (i.e., borrowing personnel and equipment from each other), multiple fires could quickly deplete fire suppression resources.
Because Redwood Estates is isolated and has limited resources, the reality is that all of us must be prepared to depend on ourselves and help our neighbors in the event of a disaster. It is imperative that, every year before and during wildfire season, each resident of Redwood Estates accepts personal responsibility for fire safety and prevention. That includes:
- Be proactive. Follow the Safer from Wildfires 10 step program such as reducing vegetation and overgrowth near your house.
- Create defensible space in conjunction with your neighbors.
- Create a neighborhood road/fire safety group.
- Plan your exit route.
- Know in advance what you do and do not need to take with you in an evacuation.
- Do not try to enter the area if there’s an active fire.
- Drive only one vehicle when you exit.
- Do not attempt to exit with a trailer or RV.
For more, visit Santa Clara County Fire.
FireWise USA Community
Redwood Estates has been a member of the FireWise USA program since 2020. This program is recognized to reduce fire risk for communities and is also helpful in getting fire insurance. The program does come with commitments. For example, we pledged to achieve annual improvement in reducing fuel loads and maintaining a safe community.
Firewise Redwood Estates 2023-2024 Certificate
Brush Abatement
Per our agreement with Firewise USA we have an annual commitment to reducing hazardous fuels in our community. It’s great to hear the chainsaws and chippers working actively to make homes more fire safe in our area. We applaud your efforts, as they add to our ability to keep our FireWise certification. That said, in order for us to count that effort toward our annual FireWise USA commitment, we need to track and report it. To make the reporting easy for you please use this form each time you do any brush abatement. You need only state the hours, truckloads, or dollars spent, and the address where the work was done.
Reflective House Numbers
You will greatly assist first responders by installing reflective house numbers indicating your street address. Santa Clara County Fire recommends that residents use four inch (4”) tall black or blue colored numbers on a white reflective background. The sign should be posted at the roadside. See example below:
Asbestos Awareness
If your structure contains asbestos, see the Asbestos and Natural Disasters Guide. It is informative regarding the impact of wildfires on structures made with asbestos. It explains:
- What to Do During Wildfires
- Wildfires and Asbestos Exposure
- Asbestos Exposure Prevention Tips for Wildfires
- Helpful Tips Before and During a Wildfire
- Cleaning After a Wildfire