Every year, California experiences major wildfires that affect countless communities throughout the state and the City of San José is no exception. The East Foothills and Almaden Valley communities are especially vulnerable; however, any home that resides in or near the wildland-urban interface* area is at risk. While proximity to wildlands can impact wildfire risk, the good news is there are proactive steps you can take to help protect your home.

How to Prepare for Wildfire

Wildfires are fast, unpredictable, and they can happen almost anywhere. The best way to protect you, your family, and your home is to plan, prepare, and stay aware. San José property owners and residents who live in or near a wildland-urban interface area are encouraged to take the following steps:

• Create a Defensible Space: Create a buffer between your home and surrounding vegetation to protect your home from catching fire.
• Harden Your Home: Use building materials and installation techniques to help your home resist heat, flames and embers.
• Install a Fire-Resistant Landscape: Plant fire-resistant vegetation around your home or property to help resist wildfire.
• Check if You Live a Wildland-Urban Interface. Determine what is the wildfire risk in your community.
• Draw up a Wildfire Action Plan: Identify escape routes in your home and designate an out-of-area contact in case of separation.
• Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit: Make a to-go bag for each person in your household with enough supplies to last 72 hours.
• Prepare Your Insurance: Review and update your home's insurance policy before a wildfire occurs.
• Create a Pre-Evacuation List: Develop a pre-evacuation checklist to help increase your home's defenses in case of evacuation.
• Review Evacuation Steps: Make sure you monitor wildfires in your area and know your community’s emergency response plan, evacuation orders, and evacuation centers.

Santa Clara County Firesafe Council

If you're looking for some additional local help, the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council provides education and project assistance for homeowners and landowners in Santa Clara County communities that are vulnerable to wildfire. The Council also works with public agencies, non-profits, businesses, and private landowners to design and implement protective measures to increase wildfire survivability.

Community Wildfire Protection Plan

In 2016, local and state agencies came together to create a countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan to further mitigate wildfire risk in Santa Clara County. This strategic plan serves to protect life, property, and the environment by enabling local agencies to prioritize the placement and maintenance of shaded fuel breaks, fuel reduction programs, and public education campaigns. Many projects are active under this plan, including chipping programs, special needs assistance programs, defensible space, roadside fuels reduction, private landowner fuel breaks, defensible space inspection programs, and identification of evacuation routes.