Fire Adapted

Santa Clara County

All the Wildfire News You Can Use!

July 2023

From Seth Schalet, Santa Clara County FireSafe Council CEO

To paraphrase Martha and the Vandellas' great hit from 1964, “Summer’s here and the time is right for…Defensible Space.” Yes, summer, a welcome reprieve from winter’s rains. Like many of you, I am a former east-coaster, who never experienced wildfire smoke up close, until moving here many years ago. Now all my friends and family back east see what we weast-coaster know all too well. My silver-lining wish is this now gets the attention of east coast legislators, and we see more spending on technology, early detection and mitigation resources.

We have been busy since our last e-news. In the last few weeks, we have announced new partnerships with N5 Sensors and Dryad Networks, where we have exclusive ability to resell and consult on their early wildfire detection product portfolio. Additionally, we are finalizing our county-wide chipping services contract with Santa Clara County Fire and hopefully, in our August e-Newsletter, will have more specific information on services areas and schedules. Our current Forest Health Grant project is proceeding apace and we have started the planning on our new, phase two FHG grant award.

Other partnerships for home hardening and home-based fire-retardant applications services will be announced shortly.

We have our final Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) meeting on August 30th, at the Los Gatos Lodge. See more in this e-Newsletter on this.

Oh, and we are planning a Fall Santa Clara County FireSafe Council fundraising event—more to follow on that.

Continue on to see what the terrific SCCFSC team has been up to.

Thanks for your engagement in our work.

Seth Schalet

CEO

Santa Clara County FireSafe Council

Chipping Program

More Opportunities Coming Soon!

Thanks to funding from Santa Clara County Fire, Saratoga Fire, and PG&E we are able to organize additional chipping events! We are currently planing the events and they are expected to take place soon! Learn More

Tree of the Month

Big Leaf Maple

(Acer macrophyllum)

The big leaf maple is not very fire resistant due to the thick bark and, depending on severity, will likely not survive during a fire. They typically regenerate through sprouts post fire from the root crown. These buds on the root crown are called adventitious buds, which means the bud occurs elsewhere on the plant like the trunk or roots.

Learn More

Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)

Update

The public comment period was held from June 19th through July 2nd where people were able to provide their input on the draft version of the CWPP. All comments will be reviewed and accessed for the final version. Learn More

Subscribe to CWPP Newsletter

Los Gatos Creek Watershed Collaborative Forest Health Grant Update

Steady work through June by vegetation treatment crews has resulted in nearly 50 more acres completed on SJW properties. Current project areas around Morrill Road and Wright's Station Road, as well as areas near Aldercroft Heights Road, are nearly completed. We greatly appreciate the cooperation of neighbors and community members on this project.

We plan to continue treatments on SJW properties and have sent out a new round of Right of Entry (ROE) forms to about 35 property owners. The ROE would allow for access through private property to project areas. Additionally, road repairs in Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve are complete and we plan to begin work there again in the coming weeks.

Learn More

Before and After photos of work on SJW property. Photos: Dave Manson

Subscribe to Los Gatos Creek Watershed FHG Newsletter

East Dunne Ave.

Escape Route Project Update

The CEQA is in its final phases and has been distributed for final review and sign off from the approving authorities. Resident Permissions campaign is about to kick off starting in July seeking approval for treatment from the home owners. Learn More

Mt. Madonna/Summit Road

Escape Route Project Update

Madonna/Summit phase III (vegetation treatment phase) was completed by the first of July. It was a very challenging project but we now have two of the four phases finished. The project is a high priority for local fire officials and will give the community a much better route for escape during a fast moving wildfire. The project took a month and treated almost 30 acres.

Picture of CAL FIRE hand crews assisting us on this project.

Mora Ravensbury

Evacuation Route Project Update

Mora Drive and Ravensbury Avenue in Los Altos Hills, California, provide two significant routes of thoroughfare/ingress for the Los Altos Hills Community. These roads exist as an egress and ingress in the event of a fire. To secure the integrity of these egress/ingress routes’ integrity, Los Altos Hills County Fire District and Santa Clara County FireSafe Council propose a roadside treatment of fuels. Learn More

We are Hiring!

SCCFSC is seeking a FULL TIME Project Coordinator to join our Community Outreach, and Education (COE) Program.

Learn More

Santa Clara County FireSafe Council Partners with N5 Sensors, Inc.

Reseller agreement enables Santa Clara County FireSafe Council to add N5’s AI- Enabled N5SHIELD platform for early wildfire detection to their portfolio. Learn More

Santa Clara County FireSafe Council Enhances Early Wildfire Detection Portfolio With Dryad Networks SILVANET Platform

Partnership Expands Santa Clara County FireSafe Council’s Leadership in Ultra-Early Wildfire Detection Solutions. Learn More

Hackathon Focused on Equity, Prediction, Mitigation of Wildland Fires

Our very own CEO, Seth Schalet, was honored to have been invited by Stanford University Professor Derek Fong to the Hackathon final presentation. He met with all the teams, viewed their projects and invited the winning team to present at an upcoming Santa Clara County FireSafe Council board meeting. Also, pleased to announce Seth will be a guest presenter in the Wildland Fire Seminar Series-- Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, during the Spring of 2024, where he will present on the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council's technology initiatives, some of our current hazardous fuel reduction projects and how we use technology with our partners for early detection and mitigation of wildfires. Learn More

CAL FIRE Suspends Burn Permits in

Santa Clara County

Santa Clara Unit Chief George Huang would like to remind everyone "All residents need to be "Ready" by creating or maintaining 100 feet of Defensible Space around their home by removing all dead or dying grass and brush." Learn More

Santa Clara County Fire

Upcoming Events

Fire Safety for Young Children - Come Learn with Us! - 2023
Wednesday, July 12 · 3:30 - 4:30pm PDT
ONLINE PROGRAM - FREE
Wildfire Preparedness: Ready, Set, Go
Friday, July 28 · 6:30 - 8pm PDT
IN-PERSON - The Pavilion At Redwood Estates - FREE
Be Safe! Life & Fire Safety Educational Video FREE - 2023
ONLINE PROGRAM - ON DEMAND - FREE

Learn More

Article of Interest

Innovative Fund Provides Support for Prescribed Fire and Cultural Burning, Reducing Wildfire Risks in California

Did you know that you might be able to double—or even triple—the impact of your gift?

Many employers sponsor matching gift programs, which means they will match any charitable contribution made by their employees.

Donate to Santa Clara County FireSafe Council

SCCFSC is a 501(c) non-profit organization that relies on funding from local partners and residents of the wildland-urban interface areas. While federal and state grants provide a significant amount of support for ongoing projects, donations from the local community is crucial to our success.The SCCFSC appreciates every donation, large or small. When you donate to Santa Clara County FireSafe Council, you are helping us and yourself by mobilizing the people of Santa Clara County to protect their homes, communities and environment from wildfires.