September is National Preparedness Month. It’s an annual observance sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to remind everyone to prepare for emergencies and disasters. For years, we have been talking about “Fire Season.” The trend in articles lately is to say Fire Season is now year-round. So, as we move into this dangerous period […]

As of July 1, 2021, California Assembly Bill 38 (AB 38) states that the seller of a residential property located in specified zones must submit documentation of compliance with locally adopted defensible space requirements prior to the close of escrow. The new home hardening and defensible space disclosure requirement in California, related to Assembly Bill 38,

Will trash cans burn? Watch the video to see if your guess is correct. Trash cans should always be moved at least 5 feet away from the house and any combustible material on: Red Flag days Voluntary Evacuation (Set!) orders are given Mandatory Evacuation (Go!) orders are given Video:Thanks to NIST (National Fire Research Laboratory),

Think the 5-foot “Zone 0” Means No Yard? Think Again.This homeowner created a 5-foot Zone 0 buffer using smart landscaping and noncombustible materials—and they still have a yard with grass, trees, and flowers spaced out with nothing flammable right against the home. “Zone 0 isn’t about going bare,” says State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant. “It’s

City of Calabasas Community Wildfire Protection Plan Survey. A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is essential for communities in high-risk wildfire areas because it helps communities proactively address the threat of wildfires by identifying hazards, prioritizing mitigation actions, and fostering collaboration between residents, agencies, and other stakeholders. Essentially, a CWPP provides a roadmap for how

What is Defensible Space? CAL FIRE defines Defensible Space as the buffer between your structure and the surrounding area. Adequate defensible space acts as a barrier to slow or halt the progress of fire that would otherwise engulf your property. It also helps ensure the safety of firefighters defending your home. Defensible Space is the

One home burned and the other did not In a recent article by LA Times, staff writer Jack Flemming, writes about a home hardening demonstration put on by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), and the California Building Industry Association. The demonstration pitted the ignitability of two tiny homes, one built to

If you’re confused by the different standards and organizations telling us what to do to protect our homes from wildfire, you’re not alone. Organizations are currently collaborating to develop a more unified set of standards and messaging strategies. There are four main programs you need to know about. While the differences in the programs vary

In a landmark decision, judge rules California FAIR Plan’s smoke-damage policy is illegal. A Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge said Tuesday, June 24, 2025, that the California FAIR Plan Assn.’s policy violates the insurance code because it provides less coverage than what is required by the state’s Standard Form Fire Insurance Policy. Since 2017, the plan

Calabasas Firewise Calabasas is a designate Firewise Community. Calabasas residents are working together to make our community more resilient to wildfire. Firewise is a community program from the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA). Residents report their Firewise fire-prevention related activities ($$ and hours), which qualify the community for Firewise recognition. You are already doing many