Chief Michael Urquides

As Fire Chief my number one priority is keeping this beautiful community fire safe, but I need your help!!! Here are some simple steps:

Defensible Space is the most effective way for property owners to protect their buildings, and sometimes their lives, against the devastation caused by catastrophic wildfires. California law now requires 100 feet of Defensible Space around a home. Defensible Space does not mean a paved parking lot. It means that the home design and construction, building materials and surrounding vegetation do not contribute to the intensity of the fire.

Why are smoke alarms needed?
All seasoned firefighters have heard the explanation, “The smoke alarm woke me up. I was able to wake the rest of the family and get them out just ahead of the fire.” A smoke alarm is the best early fire detection device available to the average homeowner.

Fire spreads very quickly. A fire which burns for one minute in a house will grow to three times original size; eleven times its original size in four minutes; and fifty times its size in only six minutes. 90-95% of people who die in fires are killed by the smoke. Smoke is full of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide replaces the oxygen in our bodies and suffocates us. Many people think they will smell smoke and wake up. Actually, smoke puts you into a deeper sleep. People who are awakened by a fire have inhaled enough smoke that they can’t think clearly. In their stupor, they make wrong decisions as they try to escape and are killed.

Can a fire engine get to your home? Whether to put out a wildland fire, structure fire or respond to a medical emergency, firefighters must be able to get equipment to the scene. If the fire engine is unable to get to your house, they are unable to help with your emergency. Here are things that you can do to help us help you:

Addresses - Post your address so we can find your house. In the rural areas, it can be very difficult to locate houses. Where the address is not readily visible
from the road, it should be placed at each driveway entrance and visible from both directions of travel along the road. Post your address at any branch or forks in the Road.
We hope you find the information useful. Please feel free to call us at (831) 455-1828 for any additional information.

Sincerely,

Michael B. Urquides, Fire Chief