Our community has a collective responsibility to ensure our homes and residents are ready for the upcoming fire season. Portions of Piedmont lie within CalFire’s “Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone,” and vegetation management plays a critical role in reducing the risks and spread of fire.
One of the challenges we are facing this year is the rain has increased the density of vegetation statewide. This increased vegetation will quickly turn brown as we transition to summer and can easily spread fire to shrubs, trees and your home. We are also seeing that here in Piedmont and in the next few weeks we will see the grass-covered rolling hills turn brown. This will create a significant threat in communities that are intermixed among the increased vegetation, such as Piedmont. We are asking residents to be proactive in preparing for the upcoming fire season.
We encourage your proactive preparation for the upcoming fire season. Please take time to look around your property for hazards and improve your home’s survivability during a wildfire. The Piedmont Fire Department has begun our annual vegetation management and inspection program during which homeowners will be asked to make specific improvements. You can also seek assistance in identifying specific concerns with your property. The following list includes items that commonly need attention. You can also seek assistance in identifying specific concerns with your property.
The Piedmont Fire Department has begun our annual vegetation management and inspection program. Homeowners will be asked to make specific improvements. Please take time to look around your property for hazards and improve your home’s survivability during a wildfire. The Fire Department has produced an informational flyer for you to download and print as a reference. If you have any questions or need assistance, please call us at (510) 420-3030 for guidance. Refer to the opposite side of this flyer for detailed guidelines from the National Fire Protection Association. Please feel free to call or stop by the fire station during business hours for further assistance.
The Piedmont Fire Department is here to help assist and guide your efforts in making our community fire safe.
The following list includes items that commonly need attention:
- Remove dead & dying plants, shrubs and tree material
- Trim shrubs and trees away from exterior walls and roofs
- Limb up trees to 6 feet off the ground
- Maintain clearance over driveways and roadways 15 feet up and 3 feet on both sides, for fire engine access
- Clear roofs and gutters of dead leaves and pine needles
- Remove dead branches that hang over your roof and keep all branches 10 feet from your chimney
- Cut dead grass/weeds to no higher than 3 inches
HELPFUL LINKS
*CALFIRE*
www.readyforwildfire.org
www.preventwildfireca.org
*GET READY PIEDMONT*
www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/fire/docs/get-ready- piedmont.pdf
*EMERGENCY ALERTS*
www.acgov.org/emergencysite/