Ready, Set, Go! Wildfire Preparedness
Newport Beach is one of the most beautiful places to live and visit, but the urban-coastal environment comes with its share of risks. What used to be called fire season has become a year-round reality. The threat of a wildfire requires both firefighters and residents to be prepared and on alert. It is not a question of "if” but a question of “when” the next major wildfire will occur in Orange County.
Downloadable Documents / Links: Wildfire Action Plan / Wildfire Prepared Home / Firewise Tool Kit / Firewise Assessment
Wildfire Safety & Preparedness Modules: IBHS Disaster Safety Module / Firewise Module
Get READY!
Protect your home from wildfires by creating and maintaining defensible space and implementing home hardening measures like fire-resistant materials and debris removal. Proper vegetation management is crucial—trim trees and shrubs, remove dead vegetation, and break up fuel continuity horizontally and vertically to slow fire spread. Choosing fire-resistive vegetation can further reduce risks. Taking these steps enhances your home’s resilience and improves overall community safety.
Get SET!
Preparing in advance for potential evacuations is key to keeping your family safe. Develop a family evacuation plan and ensure that all household members are familiar with evacuation routes. Identify multiple evacuation routes and practice using them. Stay alert by monitoring local emergency services, signing up for alerts, and having a battery-powered radio in case of power outages. Taking these steps will help you respond quickly and effectively when wildfire conditions escalate.
GO!
When wildfire strikes, immediate action can save lives. Follow local alerts and evacuation orders without hesitation. Have your emergency kit ready, leave early when advised, and ensure that all family members and pets are accounted for. A well-practiced evacuation plan will help minimize stress and confusion, allowing you to focus on safety.
By following the Ready, Set, Go! principles, you are taking an active role in protecting your home, your loved ones, and your community from the devastating impact of wildfires.
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stay safe.
Conducting a comprehensive wildfire home assessment should be a top priority for you as a homeowner. By evaluating your property’s vulnerability to wildfires, you'll gain valuable insights into areas where improvements can significantly enhance its safety. This includes assessing the condition of your roofing materials, ensuring proper clearance of flammable vegetation, examining the integrity of your home’s exterior, and evaluating the quality of your defensible space. Taking this proactive step allows you to identify and address potential weaknesses before they become critical vulnerabilities. Embrace this assessment today—it’s an important move in fortifying your home’s resilience against wildfires, ultimately protecting your family and property from this ever-present threat.
Click here to complete your own home self-assessment today!
Submittal process begins at CiViC – City Virtual Connect.
Screen and vent type information for retroactive installation of ember and flame-resistant vents listed in the State Fire Marshal Listed Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Products Handbook.