News

Fall 2023 Cal Fire Assessment Expansion

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,...

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Public Safety Power Shutoff

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...

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Torch: Solar-Powered Outdoor Sensors Spot Wildfires

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...

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Newsletter archives

All About Biochar: An Eco-Friendly Burn

All About Biochar: An Eco-Friendly Burn

Biochar is a preferred alternative to pile burning for vegetation management because it reduces smoke (and carbon emissions), increases soil and forest health, and reduces scarring on the forest floor. The best part is that it’s an easy modification to traditional...

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Prior Planning Saves Lives: Three Easy Steps

Prior Planning Saves Lives: Three Easy Steps

Got ten minutes? Set a timer and take ten to plan for the unexpected as you read on! Save these numbers...  1. Grab your phone and put these SoCo Alert numbers in your contacts as favorites (very important!), so they by-pass your DoNotDisturb setting at night in...

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A Handy Guide to Sustainable Defensible Space

A Handy Guide to Sustainable Defensible Space

What is a moonscape and is it important? What are your thoughts on “gorilla hair mulch”? Do you know if you’ve got “Ladder fuel” laying around your property?   If only there were a Defensible Space guide that demystified the jargon and helped us understand...

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Seven Saturdays to a More Fire-Resistant Home

Seven Saturdays to a More Fire-Resistant Home

The Seven Saturdays series by PG&E is such a great review of defensible space, home hardening and emergency preparedness! Have a watch and see what you might knock off your list this month to create a safer environment for you, your family and your neighbors. 

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The Ins & Outs of Residential Generators: Part 1

The Ins & Outs of Residential Generators: Part 1

The following blog post is a summary of Carl Wahl's Residential Generator Seminar presentation. Read on for specs, pros and cons and an a deep dive into... How a Generator Works Fuel Choices Types of Home Generators Sizing a Generator for Your Needs Overall System...

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What a Shovel and a Gallon of Water Have in Common…

What a Shovel and a Gallon of Water Have in Common…

Together they can make a world of difference in fire prevention. Did you know ... When doing work outside on your land with mowers, weed eaters, chainsaws, or other mechanical devices, placing a shovel and one gallon of water somewhere nearby can save you a lot of...

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The Time for Fire Mitigation is NOW!

The Time for Fire Mitigation is NOW!

The fires blazing elsewhere in California are sobering reminders to continue making your home more fire-resilient, step by step. It is no longer a question of whether defensible space and home hardening work; it boils down to what you can afford, what you can do...

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Download Watch Duty: Handy App for Wildfire Alerts

Download Watch Duty: Handy App for Wildfire Alerts

Watch Duty is a non-profit that provides realtime alerting and monitoring of Wildfires in the American West. For updates about fires, wind conditions, etc: Watch Duty incorporates fire mapping, wind direction, Cal Fire aircraft tracking, and more. Watch Duty has...

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What Can You Do With $1000? – A New Walkway

What Can You Do With $1000? – A New Walkway

This Project: A stone and gravel walkway (similar to the one pictured above) will create a beautiful (and nonflammable) area next to your home! Dimensions: 100 sq ft (20 ft by 5 ft) space Estimated Labor Cost: $990 (not including tax) Materials   4” of base rock...

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Resilient Landscaping Workshop Recap

Resilient Landscaping Workshop Recap

In April, Safer West County teamed up with Resilient Landscapes Coalition to present a workshop for the community all about creating and maintaining a fire-wise, sustainable garden that supports biodiversity while meeting County code requirement. Missed the event?...

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General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) in Cazadero

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...

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How to Set Up a FREE Risk Assessment of Your Home

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...

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Fall 2023 Cal Fire Assessment Expansion

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,...

read more
Burn Pile Guide Tips

Burn Pile Guide Tips

Image by Jameson Wolf  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...

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Moments in Time: Major Fires in the Occidental Area

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...

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Budget-Friendly Home Hardening Tips

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...

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Fire-Resistant Landscaping 

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...

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Easy Home Hardening Weekend Project

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...

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The Five Least Expensive Home Hardening Projects 

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...

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Residential Fire Extinguishers: Top Recommendations

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,...

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What is a Community Wildfire Protection Plan?

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...

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Important Resources for Backup Power Solutions

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...

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Public Safety Power Shutoff

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...

read more
How To Create a Wildfire Action Plan

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...

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How To Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit

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...

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Residential Generator Safety Guidelines & Maintenance

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...

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Fire Extinguisher Inspection & Maintenance

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...

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Torch: Solar-Powered Outdoor Sensors Spot Wildfires

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...

read more
Help with Homeowners Insurance

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...

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