Articles

FIRE Foundry Opens New Pathways into Fire Service Careers

Across Marin County, the need for a skilled, locally rooted wildfire and public safety workforce continues to grow. Yet many people who could thrive in these careers may not know where to begin, or realize how many different opportunities exist within the fire service. Launched by the Marin County Fire…

Person,Hand,With,Magnifying,Glass,Over,Luxury,House

Navigating Wildfire Insurance in Marin

Please note that Fire Safe Marin provides wildfire preparedness information and general guidance, not legal, financial, or insurance advice. How to protect your home, your finances, and your options Having adequate property insurance is an important part of wildfire preparedness. It is the backup plan that helps you rebuild, recover,…

Southern California brush fire near houses

Creating Wildfire Resilient Communities: A Podcast Episode

Resources Radio is a weekly podcast from Resources for the Future, that features interviews with researchers and leading experts about climate change, energy, ecosystems, and more. Resources Radio episode: "Creating Wildfire Resilient Communities" Marin County’s approach to wildfire resilience is gaining attention as a model for communities across the West.…

Traveling During Wildfire Season? Get Vacation Ready!

Oh, summertime in Marin! School is out and the days are long. You may be planning a weekend excursion or a summer destination vacation. Perhaps visiting family or exploring new places. But wildfire risk does not take a vacation. So before you head off to make new memories, here are…

Meet Stu Tanenberg: The Friendly Face Helping Firewise Grow Across Marin

Firewise with a Smile If you’ve ever emailed Fire Safe Marin with a question about Firewise USA, there’s a good chance Stu Tanenberg was the person on the other end. Since joining Fire Safe Marin in spring 2025 as Firewise Community Liaison, Stu has helped Marin grow from roughly 78…

Home Evaluations Are Underway: Open Your Wildfire Risk Report and Take Action

TL;DR Conducted by your local fire agency, Wildfire Risk Home Evaluations are happening across Marin and will continue through the summer. After your property is inspected, you’ll have access to a personalized report with prioritized steps to reduce wildfire risk at your home. Be sure to open your report so…

Innovation & Collaboration at the 2025 Red Sky Summit

Fire Safe Marin joined more than 600 wildfire experts, community leaders, and innovators at the 2025 Red Sky Summit in San Francisco on November 4. The annual event, which began in 2023, brings together fire service leadership, technology entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers, and nonprofits. Their commonality is that they’re all working…

Wide scenic view of a mountain covered in green vegetation. Above the mountain is a bright blue sky with white clouds.

Marin County’s Wildfire Plan to Protect People, Nature, and Recreation

Marin’s open spaces, forests, and watersheds define the character of the county, from the trails we hike to the water we drink. While these beautiful landscapes are important environmental resources, they also contribute fuel for wildfires. Thoughtful stewardship of our open spaces is needed to reduce the risk of wildfire…

Prescribed Burns in Marin

This resource page is based on the detailed FAQ on Prescribed Burns created by OneTam, which is presented in English and Spanish. Restoring Balance and Reducing Wildfire Risk For decades, for the sake of public safety, fire agencies have minimized wildfire impacts to Marin’s landscapes. However, in doing so, the…

Computer generated image of a house with a small border around it that has been cleared of combustible elements such as plants.

Zone Zero: Only 5 Feet to Save Your Home

Zone Zero – An expert assessment of Zone Zero by Todd Lando, Fire Battalion Chief and Board President of Fire Safe Marin. (See bio & additional details below) Wildfire season is no longer just a “season” in California. It’s year-round and high risk. And yet, amid smoke and ash, the…

road on fire with car driving through it

Are Marin’s Roads Ready for Wildfire Evacuations?

Are Marin’s Roads Ready for Wildfire Evacuations? When wildfire strikes, the most important thing is keeping people safe. This means leaving quickly and safely by car, which provides protection against heat, smoke, embers and debris. But what happens if the fire is so close that the heat makes it dangerous…

Understanding Fire Weather

Understanding Fire Weather Improves Community Wildfire Protection Planning On a hot, dry afternoon in Marin, the difference between a small fire in the hills and a neighborhood-wide disaster often comes down to the wind. When strong winds sweep across the county, they dry out plants, carry embers far, and…

Ember Stomp 2025!

San Rafael, CA – Fire Safe Marin proudly announces the return of Ember Stomp, Marin County’s annual wildfire prevention festival, taking place at the Marin Civic Center Fairgrounds on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 11 AM to 4 PM. As California continues to face escalating wildfire risks, Ember Stomp offers…

Move It Out!

Regulations are coming for Zero 0 in high wildfire risk areas. Learn why this area is so crucial to lowering the risk of your home igniting during a wildfire.

Reflections from Novato’s Fire Chief

This month marks 30 years of Bill Tyler's career in the fire service. We sat down with him to get his thoughts on Marin's readiness for wildfire.

A Community Collaboration

Discover how dedicated community members are taking action to prepare for wildfire and create a more resilient Marin. Hear from members of Firewise, a teacher at Terra Linda High School, and the Operations Superintendent of Marin Parks.

Firewise leader standing in front of a fire truck

Becoming Firewise in 2025

We have over 70 active Firewise sites in Marin County. Learn if you live within one or start your own!

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.

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.

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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.

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

Filter

FIRE Foundry Opens New Pathways into Fire Service Careers

Navigating Wildfire Insurance in Marin

Creating Wildfire Resilient Communities: A Podcast Episode

Traveling During Wildfire Season? Get Vacation Ready!

Meet Stu Tanenberg: The Friendly Face Helping Firewise Grow Across Marin

Home Evaluations Are Underway: Open Your Wildfire Risk Report and Take Action

Innovation & Collaboration at the 2025 Red Sky Summit

Marin County’s Wildfire Plan to Protect People, Nature, and Recreation

Prescribed Burns in Marin

Zone Zero: Only 5 Feet to Save Your Home

Are Marin’s Roads Ready for Wildfire Evacuations?

Understanding Fire Weather

Ember Stomp 2025!

Move It Out!

Reflections from Novato’s Fire Chief

A Community Collaboration

Becoming Firewise in 2025

Extreme Weather and Wildfire

Ember Stomp 2024 Unites the Community

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

Ember Stomp Wildfire Safety Festival! September 7th

Vacation Ready: Staying Safe During Wildfire Season

Community Ambassadors

Ember Stomp 2024

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

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

Wildfire Safety for Parents: Take Control and Be Ready

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

Spotlight on Wildfire Risk Home Evaluation Program

Fire History of Marin

Grappling with Insurance?

The Defensible Space Inspection Report and Why You Should Open It

Interagency Defensible Space Program

State of Wildfire Preparedness in Marin

Marin’s Fire Experts Speak Out

FREE Chipper Days in Marin

10 Ways to Be Ready for an Evacuation

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