Santa Clara County FireSafe Council Homepage 2026

🔥 September is National Preparedness Month! Wildfires and other emergencies can happen quickly. Taking a few simple steps now can help you and your family be ready when it matters most. 🎒 Build or refresh your emergency Go Kit 📋 Make and practice your evacuation plan 📱 Sign up for local emergency alerts 🐾 Include pets and animals in your plans 🏡 Talk with your family and neighbors about preparedness

If you had to leave your home in 5 minutes, would you know what to take? Prepared families respond faster and recover stronger. #WildfireSafety #DisasterPrep #CBODirect #EvacuateEarly Si tuviera que salir de su hogar en 5 minutos, ¿sabría qué llevar? Las familias preparadas responden más rápido y se recuperan con mayor fortaleza. #SeguridadContraIncendios #PreparaciónAnteDesastres #CBODirect #EvacúeTemprano 如果必須在 5 分鐘內撤離家中，您知道該帶上哪些物品嗎？ 準備越充分，應對越迅速，災後也能更快回到正軌。 #WildfireSafety #DisasterPrep #CBODirect #EvacuateEarly

Wildfire preparedness is an ongoing process. Take time throughout the year to review your emergency supplies, reduce wildfire risks around your property, and stay informed about conditions in your area. #WildfireSafety #DisasterPrep #CBODirect #EvacuateEarly La preparación para los incendios forestales es un proceso continuo. Tómese el tiempo durante todo el año para revisar sus suministros de emergencia, reducir los riesgos de incendios forestales alrededor de su propiedad y mantenerse informado sobre las condiciones en su área. #SeguridadContraIncendios #PreparaciónAnteDesastres #CBODirect #EvacúeTemprano 野火防災不是只在火災季才需要準備，而是全年都要留意。定期檢查應急用品、降低住家周圍的野火風險，並掌握所在地區的最新情況。

WILDFIRE RESEARCH DOUBLEHEADER!🔥 What would summer be without a good old-fashioned doubleheader? ⚾🔥 Join us virtually on August 18 for back-to-back presentations featuring two leading wildfire researchers sharing their newly released studies—followed by your questions! ⚾ LEADING OFF | 1:30–2:15 PM 🎓 Mitchell Hung | Stanford University 🔥 High-Severity Fire Now Dominant in California Forests Learn how California wildfires are becoming more severe, moving faster, causing greater damage, and destroying more forests. ⚾ BATTING CLEANUP | 2:15–3:00 PM 🎓 Somnath Bar | University of California, Irvine 🏠 Explaining Building Damage from Wildfires in California Discover new research examining which homes are most likely to burn in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), how they burn, and what specific mitigation measures can help reduce or prevent damage. The predictive model demonstrated an 88% accuracy rate. 🔥 Two experts. Two new studies. One Zoom. And don't forget to BYOP&CJ — Bring Your Own Peanuts & Cracker Jacks! 🥜⚾ 📅 August 18 ⏰ 1:30–3:00 PM 💻 Virtual via Zoom (link in bio via linktr.ee/sccfiresafe)

Our very own Seth Schalet, CEO of the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council joined SJW Manager of Environmental Planning, Jared Lewis for the second episode of The Watershed Sessions. This four-part series for #WatershedAppreciationMonth examines the question "What are we missing?" in how we care for natural systems through conversations with local experts. Listen to the full conversation on YouTube. Link in bio via linktr.ee/sccfiresafe #WildfireResilience #WildfirePrevention #Watershed

Be sure to stop by our table and say “Hi”! Our very own CEO, Seth Schalet, will also be sharing remarks about the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council and is joining the conversation as one of the evenings panelists!

August 11, 2026 | 4:30 PM Virtual CWPP Presentation by Zaid Ortiz, Project Manager Join us for an informative session to learn about the importance of the Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and how it helps guide wildfire preparedness, mitigation, and resilience across our communities. Whether you’re a resident, community leader, or simply interested in wildfire safety, this class is a great opportunity to learn how you can play a role in building a more fire-adapted Santa Clara County. Sign up: sccfiresafe.org/upcoming-events

Zaid Ortiz, who serves as a Project Manager for the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council (SCCFSC), was recently promoted to Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) Manager. Zaid has been with the SCCFSC for 3 years, and has helped the community of Santa Clara County with conducting defensible space assessments for residents, Installing wildfire Sensors, and helping push the CWPP efforts forward.In his expanded role, Zaid will lead the ongoing management, maintenance, and implementation of the Santa Clara County CWPP while continuing to collaborate with local fire agencies, government partners, community organizations, and other stakeholders to advance countywide wildfire resilience efforts. Zaid earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from California State University, Sacramento, where he developed a strong foundation in environmental management, sustainability, and natural resource conservation. He brings that knowledge to his work by coordinating projects that strengthen wildfire preparedness and foster partnerships across Santa Clara County. When he's not working, he enjoys spending time outdoors. Whether he's camping, snowboarding during the winter months, or tackling new problems at the bouldering gym, he enjoys staying active and exploring everything Northern California has to offer.