Home I Program I Bios and Presentations I Q&A I Resources I Increase Wildfire Safety I Future Actions
Wildfire Threat - Change in climate, drought, topography, dewaterization, i.e. degrading urban changes to the hydrologic cycle, roads, railroads, utility equipment
How can we improve our estimates of fire emissions?
A- Complicated question involving plant biomass, hydrologic cycles, moisture content. More here.
Can you explain the “surface” concept? Does that mean that the critical point of conflagration is when wind meets a “surface”?
A- Yes. See Dr. Clements at 21:48 on the video
Dr. Clements: Are you able to supplement your weather data collection for understanding fire weather with citizen sources like “Weather Underground”?
A- Not covered in this presentation. Currently, there is no Wind Profiling Network or Cloud Doppler Ember Detection System. We hope as a consequence of these presentations to include such systems in early detections.
Are Diablo winds different than Santa Ana winds?
A- They are the same. In this area, Diablo precedes Santa Ana by a day. They are the names given to various Downslope Wind Storms below stable atmosphere that occur in October.
What parts of San Mateo County are most at risk?
A- Residents who live in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), between development and parks and open space in areas like Woodside, Hillsborough, San Carlos, and Belmont are the most vulnerable to wildfire.
You can assess your fire risk by clicking here, entering your address in the right-hand corner, and using the expansion and contraction symbols in the bottom right.
Check out CalFire’s FRAP maps.
San Mateo County State Responsibility Area (SRA) Fire Assessment Map - protected by CalFire
San Mateo County Local Responsibility Area ( LRA) fire risk assessment map - protected by city fire departments
Wildfire Risk Reduction - Home hardening, defensible space, utility hardening
If it’s not the tees but the homes that burn, is there any evidence that home gas lines contribute to the spread of fire within those neighborhoods?
A- You are already supposed to shut off the gas line in a fire. And in earthquakes gas home gas lines have been a cause of spreading fires in urban areas. During the Camp fire Paradise homeowner could tell how fast the fire was approaching by the exploding propane tanks.
Governments offer discounts for installing solar cells, replacing old appliances? Why not discounts/rebates for replacing roofs, siding, skylights, vents?
A- There is a suite of legislation and new ideas to the legislature this year includes subsidies for homeowners. The problem is there is no overarching state agency like CalFire to move large sums of money for homeowners in people’s homes and yards. See Ken’s appeal for a Regional Fire Agency with land use authority like the Coastal Commission at 2:28 of the video.
Why not ban wood roofs, with a date by which all wood roofs and plastic skylights must be replaced?
A- see the previous answer. Regulation and enforcement are important questions when fires don’t respect jurisdictional boundaries.
Is redwood siding actually more fire-resistant than other woods? Also, are redwood stakes more fire-resistant than cedar stakes? Is the modern tar and gravel roof safer than wood shingles?
A- Nominal thickness of wood determines the fire rating. But small gaps including in stucco are just as vulnerable as wood. Wood siding down to the ground is the most vulnerable. Skirting and non-combustible material like Hardyboard are recommended. Tar and gravel roofs are non-combustible.
If a neighbor’s trees (in their backyard) are old pines – overgrown/not trimmed – what can the neighbor do about their concern about fire danger?
A- Depends where you live. In the unincorporated or State responsible areas you get a 100’ defensible space inspection by CalFire. If you are in a local jurisdiction you may get an inspection from your local fire agency. You can always report it your fire agency, however, approaching your neighbor first is best. The fire agency report could have a bigger impact throughout the community including your own property.
We live in the hills of San Carlos, on a cul-de-sac, with many trees near power lines. We also have wood-sided homes with open eaves. How do we protect our homes?
A- Trees that overhang powerlines are target hazards. Prevent ignition by being proactive. Think about taking out the tree and replant with something low. Enclosed eves are recommended and required in new construction. See the samples.
What powers do cities have to enforce brush and debris clearing on lots where property is owned but no homes exist? Such as Sugarloaf or San Juan Canyon in Belmont?
A- For lots that don't have a structure on them fire departments and cities can enact weed abatement ordinances. This requires landowners to clear empty lots. I'm not sure what the weed abatement ordinance for Belmont is, but you could easily find out by contacting the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department who are responsible for fire protection in the City of Belmont.
Home Depot sells “Wildfire Home Defense Spray” aka “Phos check”, and says that it is pet and plant-friendly. Comment on this product?
A- Jonathan is not familiar with the product.
Are there trees that are better to plant when considering fire risk than others? (I would like to remove 7-9 eucalyptus, which I view as a fire risk and replace with preferably California native species. Is this something worth considering?)
A- See the answer to the following question.
What have we learned that we need to do in regards to vegetation management on roadways during a wildfire? Removal of eucalyptus? Brush, etc?
A- Targeted trees by PG&E like pine eucalyptus etc. make up more than 50% of the trees in their territory. Other utilities are not targeting species of trees. A list of fire-friendly trees are available on their website. Shorter trees and non-natives are included.
What is the city of San Carlos and San Mateo County doing to prevent Black Mountain development which poses a danger of single exit and entrapment by fire?
A- This topic wasn’t covered and is related to land-use decisions that cities must address within the WUI to control the human ignition source of wildfires. The purpose of the summit was to highlight the need for additional ways for local government and citizen needs to interface. See Ken’s appeal for a Regional Fire Agency with land use authority like the Coastal Commission at 2:28 of the video.
With the increase in sudden oak death (SOD) affected oaks falling in woodlands adjacent to housing, do you recommend a program to chip the brush created by the dead foliage of the trees?
A- depends on the location. If within range of human development within the WUI then Jonathan said that the vegetation change like tree mortality from climate change was a risk to land owners. In open space outside the WUI the dead tree is part of the natural cycle in healthy forests and should be left to compost. However, Brian said there were political interests that were competing for state dollars to remove these trees when the money would be better spent addressing threatened homes in the WUI.
The Vegetation Treatment Plan EIR states that treatment is not intended to address wind-driven fires. Is this money spent wisely?
How will high heat and highly flammable non-native trees (eucalyptus) and plants (pampas grass) be managed as part of a long-term wildfire management plan?
A- This question may be better directed at the Mid Peninsula Open Space District. Targeted trees by PG&E like pine eucalyptus etc. make up more than 50% of the trees in their territory. Other utilities are not targeting species of trees. A list of fire-friendly trees are available on their website. Shorter trees and non-natives are included.
It was said that removing trees releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Does that apply to dead trees as well?
A- Trees are made of wood which is made of carbon. Weather home restoration or fuel breaks they are all climate influencing projects. Safety and carbon benefits are not the same but can be addressed together if all the options are considered. All the work currently from the state is not geared toward climate carbon solutions but need to be clarified as health and safety benefits.
I thought I heard over 1 million trees are dying in California now. What is a “normal” rate of tree die-off in California?
A- this article says “10 times larger than normal… Drought, disease, insects and wildfire are chewing up tens of millions of trees at an incredible pace, much of it driven by climate change” which was addressed in the opening talk.
What does the state and state policy people say when you provide concrete evidence that deforestation will not protect communities from wildfires?
A- Problem is legislators and the political groups that claim the money. We need to voice our concerns that the money go to people’s projects and not get wrapped up in the forest industries. Sierra Club is a big part of this negotiation in the Legislature.
For Brian Nowicki, are there any current gaps in fire technology or data or modeling that you believe could be helpful in guiding the policy making/land + urban management process? To what extent are existing models being used to influence policy?
A-How can our local government officials make our property/homes safe from PG&E equipment when they are not required to install insulated wire and computerized circuit breakers that could otherwise prevent fire from broken wires?
Chief Cox pointed out that 9% of wildfires are caused by utilities, but many of the most destructive fires were caused by electric transmission or distribution wires. Is there something that PG&E could be doing to prevent wildfire besides the proactive power of shutdowns and cutting down millions of healthy mature trees?
A- See answer to the following question
Is it more fiscally advantageous for PG&E to trim trees instead of protecting their wires? If not, why are they so insistent on deforestation?
A- Insulators are expensive, $430k per mile for SDG&E versus $1.6M for PG&E. It requires more planning. A better option when looking at benefits to society is insulated or undergrounded lines. Local distributed power and microgrids is a long term solution.
Are you acquainted with high impedance arc fault interrupters (aka computerized circuit breakers.) Are they key to providing fire-safe electric transmission and distribution lines?
Early Wildfire Detection - cameras, weather stations, smoke detectors
Do fire detecting cameras need a cable or power hook-up?
A- No they are remote with solar and battery
How efficient is detection?
A- the best we know currently
How residents become aware of their options once a fire has been detected and the communication options change?
A- see answer involving ham radios below
How will climate conditions inform early detection?
A- This is the weather detection system being developed at San Jose State by Dr. Craig Clements. See more above.
Response to Fire - community organizing, CERT, HAM radio
To Dan Belville, For wildfire alerts, who voiced concerns about our emergency communications network to support remote sensing and cameras, is this concern being addressed?
A- The system is being developed.
Text, phone, social media are dependent on electrical power. How will our emergency communication system work if there’s no power for extended periods – esp. wildfire after an earthquake?
A- Ham radios have stood the test of time. Many of the CERT teams have amateur radios with them which are not power dependent. Also, old landlines are good. First responders will go out with PA systems. Neighbors helping neighbors is also a system.
To Dan Belville, I’d like to take a tour of the new 911 center. Will that be possible?
A- Don’t know definitely when but there will be tours once the center is finished. Contact Dan.
One of the scariest impacts of the Paradise fire was the lack of sufficient escape routes.
A- Jonathan Cox covered evacuation at 2.06.01 of the video. More at 2.06:50. In addition, see Ken’s appeal for an Alliance of Neighborhood Associations to address neighborhood-specific needs across jurisdictional boundaries at 2.25.47
During Red Flag warning, could parking on narrow winding roads be restricted, forbidden?
A- Emergency services and stakeholders need to address a bunch of concerns including making sure roads are not blocked by parked cars and you will see more on this in the coming years.
Is Public Safety Power Shutoff the permanent solution or will we see circuit safety upgrades?
A- currently being negotiated by the legislature. Stay involved through Sierra Club’s Karen Maki. Jonathan says “I cannot speak for PG&E as it relates to PSPS shutoff's. I know that the Public Utilities Commission is the agency that has more information about the PSPS program.”
How can we learn more specifics about our own neighborhood analysis for modeling of evacuation plan?
A- Full public view will be available later this year. Stay connected to SMC Alert system and your local fire department so that you can comment on the plans.
To Chief Cox, is there a specific evacuation zone plan for El Granada Blvd adjacent to Quarry Park?
A- Check with your local fire department. Local law enforcement also knows the best routes. The county-wide standardized evacuation zones will be rolling out at the end of this year. There will be zones for all parts of the county with specific information about evacuating. Stay tuned for more on that project, it's progressing well.
What can help small communities with small staff? Are model ordinances or model language for climate action plans and tree ordinances available? Is there a one-source website to find language and other documents so we can educate our residents and businesses?
A- Go here to read more about “Ready, Set, Go”
Also, note that there is more information on our Resource Page.