Santa Clara Co. Wildfire Prep Meetings Slated For Coming Months

SAN JOSE, CA -- Stay vigilant and learn all you can. That's the message coming from the Santa Clara County Fire Department and law enforcement partners in the west valley communities and surrounding unincorporated areas as they will be hosting 11 meetings reminding residents to be ready for wildfire.

“The last few fire seasons have resulted in unprecedented fire behavior and destruction throughout Northern California, and many residents have asked what they can do to be
better prepared,” Fire Chief Tony Bowden said. “It is imperative those living in
communities that interface with the surrounding open space areas provide defensible
space around their properties and have a plan.”

Last year, the most destructive, deadliest wildfire in California history leveled the town of Paradise in Butte County, killing 86 and demolishing almost 20,000 structures.

Since then, Cal Fire has identified 35 severe fire-prone areas that include locations in the wooded regions between the South Bay and the coast.

A series of the 11 community meetings will focus on preparing local residents for the upcoming fire season. Residents should “get set” by developing an emergency plan complete with
meeting locations and knowing the 6 "P"s (people, plastic, personal electronics,
prescriptions, pictures/papers and pets). Finally, given the fire behavior seen in the last
few years, residents need to be especially aware during Red Flag fire weather.

“Every year, Santa Clara County Fire Department conducts defensible space inspections
in designated wildland urban interface areas,” according to Julie Linney, deputy
chief of fire prevention. “The inspections are one way we can help residents prepare
their properties for fire season, and the community meetings will provide additional
information residents can use to be prepared.”

All the following meetings start at 6:30 p.m.:

• April 10 at Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center at 14855 Oka Rd. in Los Gatos
• April 16 at Los Altos Youth Center at One North San Antonio Rd.
• April 18 at Joan Pisani Community Center at 19655 Allendale Ave. in Saratoga
• April 23 at Los Altos Hills Town Hall at 26379 Fremont Rd.
• April 25 at Rolling Hills Middle School at 1585 More Ave. in Los Gatos
• April 30 at Pavilion @ Redwood Estates at 21450 Madrone Dr. in Los Gatos
• May 8 at Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center at 14855 Oka Rd. in Los Gatos
• May 14 at Pavilion @ Redwood Estates at 21450 Madrone Dr. in Los Gatos
• May 16 at Monta Vista High School at 21840 McClellan Rd. in Cupertino
• May 21 at Los Altos Hills Town Hall at 26379 Fremont Rd.
• May 30 at Joan Pisani Community Center at 19655 Allendale Ave. in Saratoga

More information may be obtained by visiting www.sccfd.org.