Home Fire Safety

The wildland fire problem in California is the worst in the United States. Urban areas have infringed upon the wildlands, each year resulting in disastrous fires destroying homes and property located in our foothill and forested areas. You can minimize danger to your family and property by pre-planning your actions while making your property fire resistant. Here are some steps you can take in safeguarding your family from the effects of a wildfire.

Keep roofs and rain gutters free of leaves, pine needles, and other flammable debris
All combustibles, such as firewood, picnic tables, boats, etc. should be kept away from structure
Remove large native shrubbery as much as possible for a minimum of 100 feet around structures
All shrubbery around structures should be fire resistant and well-watered. Junipers, palms, eucalyptus, and pines are extremely combustible and should be removed, pruned, or thinned.
Landscaping should be maintained free of deal and dying plants
Keep enough hose on hand to reach all parts of your home.
If a wildfire is burning near your neighborhood:
- Cover all eave and roof vents
- Cover large picture windows with sheets of plywood
- Close all windows and doors, open drapes
- Fill garbage cans and other large containers with water in the event of water pressure failure
- Consider moving family members and pets to a safer location
- Keep someone on watch
If a wildfire burns through your neighborhood and evacuation is impossible:
- Stay calm
- Stay inside your home until the fire storm passes
- Immediately after passage of the fire storm, quickly inspect the exterior of your home and extinguish all smoldering material and small fires
- After making certain your house is safe, check on your neighbors

The Forest Service and your local fire department are greatly concerned about protection your property and the forest lands surrounding it. If you have any information regarding fires in your neighborhood, please help by calling your local fire department.

Garden Valley Fire Protection District 530-333-1240/Prevention Officer - Jeff Burch
US Forest Service Ranger Station 530-333-4312
Amador-Eldorado Unit Headquarters CALFIRE 530-644-2345