Wildfires can happen fast, and being prepared is the best way to stay one step ahead. In the next few weeks, we’ll share resources and actions you can take to help protect your home, your family, and our community. Each set of tips will be broken down into three easy-to-follow steps: Get Ready, Get Set, and Go: Prepare for Evacuation.

Today’s focus is getting ready. Here’s how to start:

• First, harden your home. Your home can be threatened by direct flames from a wildfire or nearby house, radiant heat from burning objects, or flying embers. Clear leaves debris from your roof and gutters, close gaps under roof tiles and shingles, and install non-flammable screens over your vents, chimney and stove pipe outlets.
• Create defensible space around your home to serve as a safety buffer and give firefighters space to defend your property. Remove leaves, dead plants, and other flammable materials.
• Get a personalized wildfire preparedness checklist from the CAL FIRE website.
• Sign up for emergency alerts.

For more information, visit the city’s Wildfire webpage.