Resources

Helpful resources to prepare your family, home, yard and community for wildfire.

Adapting to Wildfire Campaign

A new public information campaign that focuses on empowering residents to take part in reducing community risk from wildfire. A variety of messages encourage residents to learn how to take proactive steps to prepare for wildfire.

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Community Evacuations Home + Yard

When will the Next Wildfire Strike?

The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority is racing against an unknown timeline to prepare our community. Find out what work has been completed, what’s next and what residents can do.

MWPA is Hard at Work

The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority is working to prepare Marin for wildfire. Every home in Marin will be visited by a trained wildfire specialist who will evaluate risks on your property.

Articles

A collection of Fire Safe Marin’s most popular and relevant articles about preparing your family, home, yard, and community for wildfire.

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Community Evacuation Home + Yard Vegetation

Extreme Weather and Wildfire

The connection between winter rainfall and wildfire danger is complex, shaped by evolving weather patterns and the long-term impacts of climate change.

Prescribed Burn on Mt. Tam.

Marin is using lots of different vegetation management tools. In November, Marin County Fire, State Parks and Water District collaborated to use beneficial fire to reduce fuels. Learn more about the burn.

Ember Stomp 2024 Unites the Community

fire truck at night with blaze in the background

Community Preparedness Pays Off: Ross Valley’s Close Call with Fire

Early Saturday morning on August 17th, the Ross Valley Fire Department responded to a reported commercial structure fire on the “Miracle Mile”. Upon arrival, the crews discovered a working fire within the structure, which had spread into a ¼ acre vegetation fire in the eucalyptus trees, advancing uphill towards homes…

Ember Stomp Wildfire Safety Festival! September 7th

Thank you to our major donors who make this event possible. Silicon Valley Community Foundation Insurance Institute of Business & Home Safety KCBS Radio PG&E Marin Wildfire Marin County Fire Chiefs County of Marin Forster & Kroeger Fire Aside CSAA Insurance Bank of Marin West Marin Compost Vulcan Vents Fire…

Vacation Ready: Staying Safe During Wildfire Season

It's Summer in Marin! School is out and the days are long. You may be planning a weekend excursion or a summer destination vacation. While you are off making new memories and getting away from it all, here are a few tips to take with you to help you keep…

Resident speaking with Community Ambassador

Community Ambassadors

Fire Safe Marin is proud to announce a trained network of 26 Community Ambassadors that are heading out into the community to connect with residents.

Text "Save the Date Ember Stomp September 7, 2024"

Ember Stomp 2024

Mark your calendars for the 3rd annual Ember Stomp Festival on September 7, 2024. Join us at the Marin County Fairgrounds for an immersive experience into world of wildfire preparation.

Traveling During Wildfire Season? Here’s How to Prepare Your Home

Summer is vacation time, but it's also wildfire season. Before you head out of town, take these practical steps to prepare your home for wildfire – just in case.

Selling Wildfire Awareness: The Importance of Point of Sale Wildfire Disclosures in High Risk Areas

Are you looking to buy or sell a home in Marin?Wildfire safety is now on the list of things to consider as you prepare for this big decision.

Image of young girl with family raking leaves

Wildfire Safety for Parents: Take Control and Be Ready

As parents, living with the threat of wildfire can be overwhelming. It summons an instinctual urge to shield and protect our children. But what can we do in the face of such an enormous threat?

Graphic that says "wildfire risk home evaluation program"

Marin’s Wildfire Risks: Let’s Change the Odds

Most houses in Marin have been inspected for wildfire risks and reports are waiting for residents to open online

Two home inspectors evaluating a home's risk to wildfire

Spotlight on Wildfire Risk Home Evaluation Program

The Marin Wildfire has conducted thousands of Wildfire Risk Home Evaluations in Marin. Wondering if your neighborhood can expect to receive Wildfire Risk Evaluations between Spring and Fall 2024?

Fire History of Marin

Marin has a long history of wildfire that has played an important role in shaping the landscape. The response to wildfire’s has changed over the years in the face of climate change and new wildfire science.

Grappling with Insurance?

This article from KQED gives you the background and context you need to understand the current state of home insurance. The insurance market is in trouble, but there are changes coming that could be a compromise for both consumers and insurers.

The Defensible Space Inspection Report and Why You Should Open It

The home inspection report is customized to YOUR property and contains: A prioritized mitigation checklist of wildfire risks found on your property by your local fire inspector (including seasonal issues) Pictures of exact issues on your property Map images of locations of issues on your property Financial assistance and access…

Interagency Defensible Space Program

Check out the 2023 season highlights from the interagency Defensible Space Inspection Program of Marin County Fire Department, Ross Valley Fire Department, Kentfield Fire Protection District, Central Marin Fire Department, and Southern Marin Fire Protection District.

State of Wildfire Preparedness in Marin

Learn how Marin is preparing for wildfire.

Marin’s Fire Experts Speak Out

The top 5 takeaways from talking to Marin’s leading fire officials about the tragedy in Maui.

FREE Chipper Days in Marin

The MWPA sponsors free curbside ChipperDays to remove hazardous vegetation. This article highlights the success and impact of the program. Visit chipperday.com/marin to schedule a pick-up.

10 Ways to Be Ready for an Evacuation

Be ready for evacuation. Ten ways to prepare you and your family for a wildfire evacuations.

Brochures + Fact Sheets

Find brochures, checklists, and fact sheets to help you prepare for wildfire.

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Brochures Fact Sheets

Wildfire Risk Home Evaluations Program. How’s it going?

Marin Wildfire and local fire departments are committed to working with residents to reduce the risk of wildfire through home hardening and defensible space evaluations. How’s it going?

Wildfire Retrofitting Guide: Reduce Your Home’s Vulnerabilities

Research has identified the most common features that put homes at risk of ignition during a wildfire. Retrofitting strategies can reduce these risks and potentially save many homes from burning. I am text block. Click edit button to change this text.

Resident with landscaper looking at a guide to fire smart landscaping

How to Create a Fire Smart Yard

A guide for homeowners and landscapers. A fire smart yard protects a home from wildfire. This guide shows homeowners and landscapers how to work together to make small, relatively inexpensive changes that make a big difference to lower the risk of wildfire on their properties.

Fire Smart Yard Checklist

Did you know that most home ignitions are caused by burning embers that start fires in yards that will spread to the home? You can prevent this. Creating and maintaining a fire smart yard will protect your home and neighborhood. Use this weekly checklist to keep your home safe.

Evacuation Maps

Fire Safe Marin and many Marin fire agencies, cities and towns, and other partners, are working together to develop improved wildfire evacuation maps.

Powered & Prepared

Powered & Prepared is a program of the Marin Center for Independent Living. This booklet provides emergency planning and resources for people with disabilities and older adults in Marin County with a step-by-step personalized action plan.

Disaster Ready Guide

Listos California emergency preparedness campaign from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. This guide provides a step-by-step action plan to get ready for any type of disaster.

Sign Up for Alert Marin

Get critical alerts and informational messages by signing up for AlertMarin and Nixle.

family at door leaving with young kids and backpack

Basic Survival Checklist

Be prepared for wildfire evacuations by following this basic checklist to make sure you know what to do if you receive an order, warning, or shelter-in-place alert.

Mobile Home Fire Safety

Fire safety tips for manufactured homes.

Red Flag Warnings

Red Flag Warnings are issued by the National Weather Service to notify the public and fire agencies in advance of critical weather patterns that may contribute to extreme fire danger. Be familiar with personal preparedness actions to take and what activities to avoid during Red Flag Days.

Pet Evacuation Checklist

Prepare your household pets for an evacuation during a wildfire. Simple tools to start building your pet’s evacuation kit.

Pet Disaster Plan

Having a disaster plan for your beloved pets can make all the difference. Not only will it reduce stress, but it will save precious time and possibly, lives. Learn how to keep your pets safe during a disaster.

Chipper Day Postcard

The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority sponsors a free Chipping Program. The program provides for free curbside pickup, chipping, and disposal of vegetation material from residential properties. Registration is required.

Birdnesting

How to protect birds prior to removing flammable vegetation in your yard. How to survey, what to look for in birds’ behavior, and when to start the work.

Homeowner’s Guide to Wildfire Preparedness in Marin County

The Homeowner’s Guide to Wildfire Preparedness in Marin County outlines simple strategies for residents to reduce their wildfire risk and minimize the danger to their homes, families, and communities.

Smart Evacuation Planning – 5 Questions

Be ready for an evacuation by thinking through these 5 questions ahead of time.

Contractors

Fire Safe Marin recognizes the need for homeowners to connect with contractors and handyman to take care of home hardening projects. If you are looking for help, please consider the suggestions below.

Best Practices for Choosing a Contractor

Research & Recommendations
Ask friends, family, and neighbors for contractor suggestions. Use Nextdoor and professional associations like the Marin Builders Association for additional leads.

Verify Credentials
Ensure the contractor is licensed and insured. Ask for proof of liability and workers’ compensation insurance, and confirm their experience with similar projects.

Interview Multiple Contractors
Get written estimates from at least three contractors to compare pricing, timelines, and approaches.

Check References & Past Work
Contact references to assess work quality, timeliness, and budget adherence. Visit past projects or current job sites if possible.

Get Everything in Writing
Ensure a detailed contract with scope, materials, timeline, payment schedule, and warranties.

Evaluate Communication & Compatibility
Choose a contractor who communicates clearly and professionally.

Consider the Bid
Beware of bids that are much lower than others—ensure a detailed cost breakdown.

Fire Safe Marin is partnering with the Marin Builders Association (MBA) to help you find licensed and insured contractors and handymen available for home hardening projects.

To connect with building professionals, we recommend using MBA’s “Request a Proposal” tool, which helps streamline the process of finding the right contractor for your needs. See buttons below.

Additionally, we encourage you to explore the MBA directory at www.marinbuilders.com/list and the Northern California Association of Landscape Contractors at www.clcancc.org for landscape specific resources.

Marin Builder's Directory Marin Builders: Request for Proposal

Landscaping Professionals:

The companies listed have attended a Fire-Smart Landscaping workshop hosted by Fire Safe Marin and the Northern California Association of Landscape Contractors, and this list can be used as a starting point for finding qualified landscapers for fire-smart landscaping projects.Fire Safe Marin does not guarantee or endorse the quality of work performed by any contractors or companies listed. Residents are responsible for verifying the competency, licenses, insurance, and references of any professionals they hire. Please see suggestions for choosing a contractor above.

Avid Green Landscaping

https://avidgreen.com/

Buchholz Landscaping Company

https://www.gardenbuilders.com/

Cervantes Landscape LLC

https://www.cervanteslandscape.com/

Dan Fix Landscape Construction

https://www.danfixlandscape.com/

Devil Mountain Wholesale Nursery

https://devilmountainnursery.com/locations/

Garden Builders Landscaping

https://go.artgardendesign.net/ppc?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA3Na5BhAZEiwAzrfagMQmhkcypC8VNv-1QzhHPbp7wxit7GuRPg6gSNErD57WjtQOr5W9GhoCBNcQAvD_BwE

Mekisich Horticultural Services

(415) 388-3960

Reyes Landscape Construction

https://www.reyeslandscape.com/

Vaca Landscaping

https://vacalandscape.com/

Education + Training

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Professional Trainings Schools Webinars

Home Hardening Workforce Development

The increased risk of wildfires in California has created an urgency to improve homes’ resistance to ignition. These improvements, known as home hardening measures, are simple, low-cost retrofits for buildings and structures to decrease their flammability potential. There is a real and growing need for a skilled workforce to harden…

Wildfire Education for Landscape Professionals

Fire Safe Marin has established a partnership with the Northern California Landscape Contractors Association (NCLCA). Fire Safe Marin, with support and assistance from representatives of NCLCA developed a training program for landscape professionals. The program includes a basic introduction to wildfire science and recommendations for creating fire-smart landscapes. The program…

Evacuation Maps

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Firewise USA

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Firewise USA

Marin’s Firewise USA Program Overview

Neighbors helping neighbors–this is what Firewise USA® is all about. Residents join together as a Firewise site and take actions to prepare themselves, their homes and their properties against the threat of wildfire. They look out for one another and provide those in need of assistance with help in emergency preparation.…

The Universal Firewise Actions

Develop and maintain a comprehensive contact list of residents Hold regular meetings – we recommend at least quarterly Promote Wildfire Education – utilize Fire Safe Marin resources Encourage participation in bi-annual chipper day events Hold an annual neighborhood walk to reassess hazards and note areas still needing improvement Hold an…

Evacuation Practice Templates

A practice is an activity that is repeatedly or regularly performed in order to improve or maintain one’s proficiency. Our goal is for all Marin residents to be prepared to immediately evacuate if ordered by public safety agencies. This means residents should have an evacuation plan, understand our system of…

Marin Firewise Sites

Link to maps and descriptions of Marin Firewise Sites

Marin Firewise Program Overview: Slide Show

This slide show is an overview of the Marin County Firewise Program

Become a Firewise USA Site

Fire Safe Marin will help your neighborhood navigate the process and complete these steps to becoming a recognized Firewise USA site. Communities develop an action plan that steers their residential risk reduction activities, while engaging and encouraging their neighbors to become active participants in building a safer place to live. Neighborhoods throughout…

2024

October: Stay Vigilant

September: A Summer of Wildfire

August: Fires Raging in California – Take Action

July: Don’t Get Caught Off Guard

June: Wildfire Season is Here

May: Wildfire Awareness Starts at Home

April: How Wildfire is Shaping Our Decisions

March: Yard Hacks to Protect Your Home

February: Wildfire Prevention on a Budget

January: Inspirations for a New Year

Click HERE to view past newsletters

Sign up to receive Fire Safe Marin's monthly e-newsletter. Includes timely wildfire safety tips, updates, and prevention and preparedness efforts in Marin County.

Power Point Presentations

These are popular presentations on a variety of topics for download.

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Evacuations Fire Safe Marin Firewise USA Home + Yard

Will You Survive a Wildfire Evacuation?

This slide show covers the 3 main reasons people perish during evacuation, Marin alert systems, where to go, how to get there, what to bring and who to contact.

Science + Research

Research papers, founding documents, and community wide plans.

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Guides Reports Research

The Cost of Retrofitting a Home for Wildfire Resistance

Headwaters Economics examined the costs for improving the structure and design of existing homes to increase their wildfire resistance, in partnership with California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). The results are detailed in this report: “Retrofitting a Home for Wildfire Resistance” and show that some of the most…

Wildfire Prepared, A Homeowners Guide: IBHS

Overview Wildfire Prepared Home™ was developed to help you protect your home from wildfire. The requirements described here are based on years of scientific research by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). Our science has demonstrated that, when applied together, these specific actions reduce the wildfire risk to your home and…

Wildfire Home Retrofit Guide

This Guide includes specific recommendations for how to retrofit existing components of a home to withstand wildfire. Each section contains an explanation of how the component is vulnerable to wildfire and what can be done to improve that component. The illustrations throughout the Guide are intended to show best practices…

IBHS California Home Retrofit Guide

Research and post-fire assessments have shown that property owners can protect their homes and businesses against wildfire by addressing three clear sources of vulnerability: materials and design features used in building the home or business, the landscaping vegetation located immediately adjacent to the home or business, and the general vegetation…

Videos

This section is a curated selection of Fire Safe Marin’s core messaging about creating a fire smart yard, home hardening, personal preparedness, and readying community. Please visit Fire Safe Marin’s YouTube channel to access the complete library of short- and long-form videos, webinars, animations, and Wildfire Watch TV episodes.

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All Hazard Preparedness Animations Did You Know?Mythbusters Wildfire Safety Tips

Weather and Climate Emergencies

Power Outages

Providing Emotional Support

someone filling out an emergency preparation checklist

Putting It All Together

Earthquake Preparedness

Wildfire Safety

Help Friends and Neighbors

Shelter in Place

Pack a Go Bag

Make a Plan

Alert and Warning

Five Safety Steps

En Español

Recursos para preparar a su familia, su hogar, su jardín y su comunidad para los incendios forestales.

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Adaptarse a Incendios Forestales Folletos Vídeos

La clave para la seguridad de tu hogar

Cuando se trata de proteger tu hogar contra incendios forestales ¿Sabes qué hacer? Algunos pasos sencillos que puedes seguir para la prevención de incendios incluye mantener las hojas afuera de la canaleta, instalar rejillas resistentes al fuego en los conductos, y limpiar debajo de la terraza. La clave para la…

Evite que su hogar se encienda durante un incendio forestal

Durante incendios forestales un 90 por ciento de igniciones en las casas son causados por brasas encendidas.

Evacuación por incendio de Marin

Frena la Propagación del Fuego

Durante un incendio forestal, usualmente brasas ardientes inician pequeños incendios que se propagan rápidamente. La clave para proteger tu hogar es crear brechas de combustible por todo tu patio. Crea un espacio alrededor de tu hogar y entre las plantas para interrumpir la propagación del fuego. Recuerda que las…

Orden de Evacuación

La MWPA está trabajando duro

La MWPA está trabajando duro, creando más de 4,000 acres de brechas de combustible sombreadas, estamos aclarando más de 1,000 millas de rutas de evacuación, y hemos evaluado más de 50,000 hogares hasta el momento.

Prepárate Para la Temporada de Incendios Forestales – Zona 0

Crea una zona resistente a brasas en los primeros 5 pies.

Mantenimiento Del Jardín Esta Primavera

Temporada de incendios forestales se acerca . Estas son 3 cosas que ayudarán a preparar tu jardín: Primero, limpia cualquier material combustible dentro de 5 pies de tu hogar para protegerlo de brasas ardientes. Segundo, corte los pastos anuales y maleza y vuelva a hacerlo cuando crezcan. Tercero, pode arbustos,…

Resources

Helpful resources to prepare your family, home, yard and community for wildfire.

Adapting to Wildfire Campaign

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Articles

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Brochures + Fact Sheets

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Contractors

Education + Training

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Social Media Toolkit

A social media toolkit contains resources that you can use to streamline your social giving campaigns on social media platforms.

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Evacuation Maps

Firewise USA

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Newsletters

2024

Power Point Presentations

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Science + Research

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Videos

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En Español

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