February 2025

Welcome to the February 2025 edition of the CAL FIRE – Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Newsletter. During the unprecedented fires in Los Angeles in January, CAL FIRE – Office of the State Fire Marshal staff were an important part of the state’s response and recovery efforts through our Damage Inspection Teams as well as large numbers of staff being assigned to Incident Management Teams. This month's edition of the newsletter highlights efforts that were made by our Office during this difficult time.

Damage Inspection: How does it work?

CAL FIRE conducts damage inspections to verify structures damaged or destroyed during a fire. These inspections are performed in two ways: preliminary aerial assessment and on-site damaged inspections, Watch the video to learn more about the process and how CAL FIRE conducted dame inspections during the recent L.A. wildfires.

Protecting your Home and Property Before the Fires Begin: Zone 0 and the importance of Defensible Space

Zone 0, or the Immediate Zone, is the first five feet around your home and is crucial for wildfire protection. This area should be completely free of flammable materials like dry grass, leaves, pine needles, and wood mulch, which can easily ignite. Instead, use non-combustible materials such as gravel, stone, concrete, or pavers to create a fire-resistant barrier. Keep outdoor furniture, firewood, and propane tanks outside this zone, as even small items like doormats or brooms can catch fire. By maintaining a clear Zone 0, you reduce wildfire risk and improve your home’s chances of surviving a fire.

Fuels Reduction, Resilient Communities, and Fire Safety Education: How We Can Stop Fires and Reduce Their Impact

Each year, CAL FIRE and the Office of the State Fire Marshal work on many projects to reduce the risk of wildfires across the state. These projects include clearing overgrown plants with heavy machinery and safely using controlled fires to improve the landscape. CAL FIRE teams up with state, federal, local, and tribal partners to help prevent wildfires.

Vickie Sakamoto Appointed as the New Assistant State Fire Marshal

In November, the OSFM announced the appointment of Vickie Sakamoto as the new Assistant State Fire Marshal. Chief Sakamoto’s nearly 38-year career reflects a strong commitment to fire protection and public safety. Her extensive leadership includes key roles in code development, fire and life safety, and state fire training, helping shape safety standards across California. Chief Sakamoto has chaired and participated in numerous advisory committees, demonstrating her dedication to protecting communities. We look forward to her continued contributions to California’s fire safety and prevention efforts.

New Dashboard Demonstrates Effectiveness of Fuels Projects in Helping to Fight Wildfires

Introducing the new CAL FIRE Fuels Treatment Effectiveness Reporting Dashboard. Fuels treatment projects have been instrumental in 2024 in helping to contain some of the most well-known fires in California as well as many small fires that never make the news. But how? The interactive dashboard allows users to see where fuels treatment projects have been effective in firefighting efforts in a map view while also viewing written and video reports. Check out the map by following the link below to learn more.  

Employee Spotlight - Battalion Chief Jennifer Renner, Pre-Fire Planning

This month we join Battalion Chief Jennifer Renner to learn more about the important role that the CAL FIRE’s new Fuels Treatment Effectiveness Dashboard plays in assisting the public and firefighters in identifying effectiveness projects. 2024 saw over 8,000 wildfires and the vast majority of these fires never make the news. Alongside treatments that were effective in helping to contain large fires, there are many examples of fires that were contained at less than an acre thanks to fuels reduction work completed prior to the fire’s start. Join Chief Renner to learn more about this tool and how these projects are helping to protect the people, communities, and natural resources of our state. 

New State Fire Training Report Reinforces Commitment to Emergency Response Professionals Statewide

OSFM is pleased to announce the release of the State Fire Training (SFT) Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2023. This report highlights key achievements, including program improvements, curriculum development, and the work of the Statewide Training Education and Advisory Committee. With a focus on advancing the California Fire Academy System and serving our stakeholders, the report underscores SFT’s commitment to supporting emergency response professionals statewide.

Visit our website | Get wildfire preparedness & prevention tips | View Active Incidents | CAL FIRE on Flickr