Dear Neighbors,
One of the challenges of living on the edge of Marin’s scenic open space and 1,515 acres of China Camp State Park is that it necessitates constant attention to wildfire preparedness.
The good news is California’s 2023 fire season is nearly over. We can’t predict 2024’s fire season, but California’s defensible space and home hardening guidelines are clear about keeping the areas around our homes as ignition-free as possible in Zone 0 (0′ – 5′), Zone 1 (5′ – 30′), and 2 (30′ – 100′).
The most draconian is Zone 0, which became law on 1/1/23. If you’re like me, you’re wondering how to create a non-combustible five-foot buffer around your home without turning your property into a moonscape. FIRESafe Marin has suggestions for fire-resistant designs and materials.
Insurance companies are taking notice as California’s wildfire policies and directives get stricter. Their coverage and rates will likely align with new findings on wildfire risk.
Devastating fires in California and elsewhere have given fire scientists and firefighters a better understanding of our risk. Their best practices and fire zones reflect their expanding knowledge base.
The best way to prepare and stay in the know is to read FIRESafe Marin’s monthly newsletter. Please subscribe today.
Future issues of FIRESafe’s newsletter will update you on two critical upcoming studies: One will recommend the best wood chips to buy, and the other will announce the release of research identifying problematic evacuation routes in Marin.
The Bayside Acres Firewise Team (BAFT) members attend FIRESafe Marin’s monthly Firewise Leaders meetings to hear what’s coming down the pike. Last Friday’s meeting had guest speakers on the above topics. Here is what we learned:
Marin Evacuation Difficulty Maps
The Marin Wildfire Protection Agency (MWPA) will release a new study, including Marin Evacuation Difficulty Maps. Several years ago, SB99 mandated California’s planning departments to identify communities with 15+ residents served by a single evacuation route or portion of one. As we all know, we have several of those in Bayside Acres.
MWPA Executive Officer Mark Brown told Firewise leaders that the maps are not for neighborhood evacuation planning. The study will help fire professionals plan future fire mitigation work, such as strategic fire breaks, and identify areas where more effort will be necessary for safe evacuations. The study will help The Marin County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) identify gaps in cellular coverage where NOAA weather radios will be necessary during emergencies.
Mark addressed concerns about insurance cancellation risks and lowered property valuations with the public release of the study and maps. He noted that some of this information has been publicly available through CAL FIRE for several years, and there have been no complaints from homeowners. He said that insurance companies base their decisions on proprietary data.
Not All Mulch is Created Equal
A long-anticipated study led by Steve Quarles, a retired Chief Scientist for Wildfire and Durability at the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), was completed on combustible wood-based mulch in West Marin at the former San Geronimo Golf Course. You can expect the results in a few months after a peer review.
Based on this study, FIRESafe Executive Coordinator Rich Shortall said he hopes to recommend the safest 3-4 wood chip brands on the market.
MWPA Grant Funding
Residents can apply for MWPA Grant Funding for the defensible space and home hardening work they’ve completed even though the MWPA has run through their funds. Supplemental funding may come in before July, and the MWPA board may also vote to continue grant funding under the fiscal year 24/25 program guidelines. Click here for other sources of local funding.
Home Evaluation Reports
FIRESafe Marin urges everyone to open their Home Evaluation Reports to take the required action for neighborhood safety. San Rafael Fire Department and the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority representatives created those reports when they walked through our neighborhood this summer. Everyone was given door hangars with personal access codes to view their reports. If you need help finding yours, you can retrieve your information at www.marinwildfire.org/myreport23.
Thank You, Neighbors
Thanks to everyone who cleared their properties and participated in one or all of the four free Chipper Days this year. We made great strides in 2023.
If Marin County gave out medals for clearing flammable vegetation and home hardening this year, Bayside Acres would surely take home a Gold.
Thank you for helping to keep all of us safe.
Your Bayside Acres Firewise Committee
Julia Glenister, Chair