News
“Intersection of Fire and Flood” – OAEC’s Brock Dolman Featured on NBC News
Check out this great clip from NBC news about Occidental Art & Ecology Center’s 80-acre wildlands management! As we thin and limb our forests and landscapes towards fire fuels reduction, let us remember that as Brock says, “Slash ain’t trash – it’s beneficial...
Fall 2023 Cal Fire Assessment Expansion
Cal Fire has initiated a training of people outside their organization to help expand the ease with which we can have our properties assessed. Assessments help us understand our highest risks and how to reduce them—empowering us to make our homes more fire-resilient,...
Public Safety Power Shutoff
A Message from PG&E For public safety, we may turn off electricity when gusty winds and dry conditions, combined with a heightened fire risk, are forecasted. This is called a “Public Safety Power Shutoff” or “PSPS.” When possible, we will email, phone, or text...
Torch: Solar-Powered Outdoor Sensors Spot Wildfires
If this thing works as advertised, it could be a lifesaver for Sonoma County residents. Torch is a cutting-edge fire detection system developed to help protect properties and the environment from the devastating effects of wildfires. Torch's innovative...
Newsletter archives
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) in Cazadero
Story by Mike Nicholls During and following the Walbridge Fire in 2020. Cazadero had no 911 service for days – our telephone landline provider, Frontier Communications experienced a central office back-up battery failure, Comcast/Xfinity failed once their battery...
“Intersection of Fire and Flood” – OAEC’s Brock Dolman Featured on NBC News
Check out this great clip from NBC news about Occidental Art & Ecology Center’s 80-acre wildlands management! As we thin and limb our forests and landscapes towards fire fuels reduction, let us remember that as Brock says, “Slash ain’t trash – it’s beneficial...
How to Set Up a FREE Risk Assessment of Your Home
From Permit Sonoma Fire Prevention: Take a critical step to reduce wildfire risks to your home by scheduling your FREE structure risk assessment today! Our home hardening contractors will identify the highest risks to your home and provide you with a personalized list...
National Wildfire Coordinating Group Standards for Mitigation in the Wildland Urban Interface
Published by National Wildfire Coordinating Group, this publication establishes the standards for understanding and implementation of concepts, issues, and best practices to increase community fire adaptation. This publication is designed to: • Support common...
Fall 2023 Cal Fire Assessment Expansion
Cal Fire has initiated a training of people outside their organization to help expand the ease with which we can have our properties assessed. Assessments help us understand our highest risks and how to reduce them—empowering us to make our homes more fire-resilient,...
Book Recommendation: The Last Fire Season – A Personal and Pyronatural History
In 2020, a dry lightning storm that ignited hundreds of simultaneous wildfires across the West and kicked off the worst fire season on record. Martin, along with thousands of other Californians, evacuated her home in the midst of a pandemic. The Last Fire Season by...
Burn Pile Guide Tips
Before you begin burning piles of debris, please make sure you have a current 2023-2024 burn permit, and that you call before you burn! And remember, Occidental, Camp Meeker, Monte Rio, and Forestville residents have free chipping service. Apply for chipping here....
Moments in Time: Major Fires in the Occidental Area
Fires are driven by hot dry winds that are funneled through our hilly terrain. These dangerous winds return time and again. As a physical form of our hills is fixed, fire sometimes burn the same area more than once. Native American Era, 8000 BCE to 1836 Native...
Budget-Friendly Home Hardening Tips
Three resources for hardening your home that won't break the bank: A FREE Wildfire Risk Guide: Your personalized home evaluation report is organized to help you prioritize the actions you need to take to prepare for wildfire. Budget-Friendly Vents: Vents are an entry...
Creating an Emergency Plan with Illness & Disability in Mind
Those who have been diagnosed or have a family member diagnosed with cancer can have a particularly hard time when natural disasters occur. This can range from not having the ability to refill a prescription to roadways being blocked so they can't make it to the...
Fire-Resistant Landscaping
Are there fire safe plants? Yes and no. Remember, any plant can burn under the right conditions. One way to help reduce your wildfire risk is to use fire-resistant landscaping around your home. Look for plants with these characteristics: Able to...
Easy Home Hardening Weekend Project
The reality is, there are many, many home-hardening activities you can tackle—with no money and only a little of your time. Carve out some time, learn how to reduce risk and protect your home with a few simple chores and a trip to the hardware store. What can you do...
The Five Least Expensive Home Hardening Projects
VENTS: UNDER-EAVE, ATTIC AND CRAWL SPACE WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW Attic, roof and foundation vents can be entry points for embers and flames. Embers that enter the attic or crawl space can ignite combustible debris that can accumulate in these spaces and also combustible...
Residential Fire Extinguishers: Top Recommendations
Fire classes, extinguisher numerical values, and what you should know about them. Always call 911 before attempting any fire suppression. There are five fire classes, but these are the most common: Class A: Fires caused by ordinary combustibles like wood,...
What is a Community Wildfire Protection Plan?
In 2019, Fire Safe Occidental embarked on an ambitious project to create a Community Wildfire Protection Plan. This work was completely driven by local volunteers. The group held community meetings, mailed out surveys to every address in the Occidental Services...
Important Resources for Backup Power Solutions
There are many different backup power solutions that vary in size, cost, fuel and more. If you think a backup power solution may be appropriate for your home or business, PG&E has resources available that can help you with your choice. Learn more about backup...
Public Safety Power Shutoff
A Message from PG&E For public safety, we may turn off electricity when gusty winds and dry conditions, combined with a heightened fire risk, are forecasted. This is called a “Public Safety Power Shutoff” or “PSPS.” When possible, we will email, phone, or text...
How To Create a Wildfire Action Plan
Your Wildfire Action Plan must be prepared and made familiar to all members of your household well in advance of a wildfire. Use the checklist below to help create your plan. Each family’s plan will be different, depending on a variety of issues, needs, and...
How To Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit
The Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management has created a helpful video for creating go bags for the whole family. Watch the video and read on for a detailed checklist! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wf7zQktwpQ Put together your emergency supply kit long...
CAL FIRE Business & Workforce Development Grant For Resilient Forests, Due 3/8
The Wood Products and Bioenergy Team (Wood Products) is part of CAL FIRE’s Climate and Energy Program. Wood Products awards funding for California business and workforce development projects that support healthy resilient forests and the people and ecosystems that...
Residential Generator Safety Guidelines & Maintenance
Disclaimer: This list was written and compiled by Carl Wahl from multiple sourcesbetween 8/2019 and 2/2022, plus input from Stuart Tom. Still, the below should notbe considered as a comprehensive list. This list covers both portable and standby generators. A number of...
Fire Extinguisher Inspection & Maintenance
Replace or service an extinguisher right away if it's been used (to any degree) or ifyou notice any of the following: The hose or nozzle is cracked, ripped, or blocked with debris. The metal locking pin on the handle is missing or if the safety seal is missing/not...
Torch: Solar-Powered Outdoor Sensors Spot Wildfires
If this thing works as advertised, it could be a lifesaver for Sonoma County residents. Torch is a cutting-edge fire detection system developed to help protect properties and the environment from the devastating effects of wildfires. Torch's innovative...
Help with Homeowners Insurance
By Carl Wahl Has your homeowner's insurance policy premium been skyrocketing? Or has your policy been canceled? If so, have you been having difficulty finding a new insurance carrier? This seems to be the new normal for many Californians. A number of carriers have...