How to Prepare for Wildfires

Posted on by BNN Network

County Department of Emergency Management and Thrive Alliance Outline Outline How to Prepare for Wildfires and Other Disasters

February 9, 2025 — Burlingame, CA

WILDEFIRE PREPARATION

“Preparedness isn’t something that requires giving up vacation time or hundreds of dollars — it should become part of your daily routine,” explained Department of Emergency Management Coordinator Sandra Firpo during the emergency preparedness webinar. “Next time you go to the grocery store, pick up an extra case of water. Next time you’re at the hardware store, pick up an extra set of batteries.”

Future presentations are in the works and will be recorded for view. Bilingual and Spanish-speaking webinars are also in the planning stages and will be held at different times during the day and evening to accommodate different audiences. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, here’s what you can do right now for maximum wildfire preparedness impact:

START WITH YOUR HOME

  • Create defensible space around your property — this means maintaining a buffer between buildings and potential wildfire fuels like vegetation.
  • The Firewise USA Program (NFPA – Firewise USA®) helps neighbors collaborate to protect entire blocks.

BUILD YOUR EMERGENCY KIT

  • Keep supplies at home and maintain a Go Bag for each household member for evacuations.

STAY INFORMED, REGISTER FOR EMERGENCY ALERTS

INFORM YOURSELF WITH THESE ESSENTIAL RESOURCES

“From severe storms to earthquakes, tsunami warnings to fires, our community has faced one challenge after another. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed or even tune out. But as we watch the devastating fires in Los Angeles impact our neighbors to the south, we’re reminded that preparation isn’t just about storing supplies – it’s about strengthening our community bonds. When we know our neighbors and have a plan, we’re all more resilient. Small steps today, like signing up for alerts or creating defensible space around our homes, can make a crucial difference when emergencies strike.”
~Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar, San Mateo County’s Emergency Management Director

Image attribution
Toastt21, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ariam23, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons