Santa Clara County FireSafe Council Homepage 2026

Drive-Up Chipping Depot� �New Almaden — � �January 10th We are hosting a one-day, drive-up brush chipping event on January 10th at the New Almaden Community Club. This event is NOT a roadside pickup program. Community members must bring eligible material directly to the site within the designated window. ��Learn more at https://sccfiresafe.org/prepare/chipping-events/

🎉 Big cheers for Old Alpine! 🎉 They just became a recognized Firewise USA® community—officially making them the 30th Firewise USA® community in Santa Clara County! 🌟🔥 That’s 30 neighborhoods stepping up to boost wildfire resilience and keep our region safer. 🌳💪 ✨ Want your neighborhood to be next? 👉 Email firewise@sccfiresafe.org today and find out how to get started. Together, we can keep the momentum going—one Firewise community at a time! 🚀

As we close out 2025, we’re proud to reflect on the progress made across Santa Clara County to reduce wildfire risk, strengthen forest health, and build a more resilient community. 🌲🔥 Hazardous Fuels Reduction Programs remained a cornerstone of our work, including chipping, roadside fuel reduction, special needs assistance, and neighbor-to-neighbor cost share efforts. 🌿 Chipping Program | 2025 Totals • 121,483 cubic yards of brush removed 🚧 Roadside Fuel Reduction • 69.15 linear miles cleared 🤝 Community Assistance Programs • Special Needs Assistance: 2 projects, 0.38 acres treated • Neighbor-to-Neighbor Cost Share: 2 projects, 3.6 acres treated 🌲 Forest Health & Landscape Resilience • Forest Health Grant 1 completed on time • 1,000+ acres treated • Continued progress on the West Santa Clara County Landscape Resilience Project (completion expected March 2026) • Foundation established for Santa Cruz Kangaroo Rat habitat work with MROSD • Positioned for a third Forest Health Grant, expanding treatment types including prescribed fire and work in South Santa Clara County 🔥 South Bay Prescribed Burn Association • $350,000 Coastal Conservancy Grant awarded • Funding for training, PPE and tools, community education, RPP & CWPP updates, and Wildland Firefighter Type 2 training 🏡 Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) Assessments | 2025 • 416 assessments completed • 620 acres assessed 🏘️ Firewise USA® • 10 new communities in 2025 • 29 total recognized communities 📚 Community Outreach and Education • 1,798 residents reached through presentations and workshops • 1,700+ newsletter subscribers 📍 CWPP Engagement • Re-established monthly coordination with CWPP partners • Awarded 24CWDG funding from the U.S. Forest Service • Updated CWPP annexes to maintain a living plan, StoryMap, and FireSafe network Thank you to our partners and the community for helping make Santa Clara County safer and more wildfire-resilient. 💚🔥

👏 Congrats to the 29 Firewise USA® communities in Santa Clara County for their incredible work on wildfire preparedness this year—helping protect neighbors, homes, and our shared landscape. Want to get involved? Visit sccfiresafe.org/firewise

Join us for GivingTuesday! This global day of generosity is your chance to make a significant impact. We are committed to raise $5,000 to help our communities prepare for, survive, and recover from wildfires. Your contribution will play a vital role in fostering resilience against these natural challenges. Together, we can live safely with wildfire. #GivingTuesday #WildfireResilience #CommunitySupport #Nonprofit #FireSafety

🍂🦃 Happy Thanksgiving from the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council! 🦃🍂 Today, we give thanks for the strength, resilience, and generosity of our incredible community. To all the residents who work year-round to reduce wildfire risk—thank you. Your dedication to clearing defensible space, participating in home assessments, and staying prepared makes Santa Clara County safer and more resilient. We are grateful for every neighbor who takes steps—big or small—to protect their home, family, and community. Together, we’re building a more fire-adapted county. Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, warm, and joyful Thanksgiving! Stay safe and stay prepared. — Santa Clara County FireSafe Council 🍁🔥

We are proud to recognize several outstanding Firewise USA® volunteers who were honored with the 2025 Santa Clara County Emergency Managers Association (SCCEMA) Volunteer Award for their exceptional service and leadership. Mike Salameh (Natoma Firewise Community), Rob Stump (Civic Center Hillside Neighborhood Firewise Community), and Rhonda Raider, Peter Hertan, and Jason Krings (Teresita Way Firewise Community) were each celebrated for their dedication to wildfire preparedness, community engagement, and ongoing efforts to strengthen local resilience. These leaders play a vital role in expanding Firewise USA® participation, organizing neighborhood initiatives, and educating residents about home hardening and defensible space. Their hard work and commitment make a measurable impact on safety throughout our region. Thank you to all our Firewise USA® volunteers for your continued service. Your efforts help build safer, more connected, and more resilient communities for everyone. Pictured: First photo Mike Salameh, Natoma Firewise Community & Second photo from left to right: Chris Todd, Town of Los Gatos, Emergency Managers Rob Stump, Civic Center Hillside Neighborhood Jason Krings, Teresita Way Peter Hertan, Teresita Way Victoria Bebee, President, SCCEMA. & second photo Mike Salameh, Natoma Firewise Community

🔥 Congrats to the Upper Black Road Community! 🔥 Santa Clara County’s 28th Firewise USA® recognized community is officially on the map! 🗺️🎉 This milestone highlights the incredible wildfire risk reduction efforts happening across the county — from creating defensible space to building stronger, more fire-resilient neighborhoods. 💪🌲🏠 Santa Clara communities are stepping up and showing what it means to be wildfire ready! 🙌 👉 Want to make your neighborhood a Firewise USA® community? 📩 Contact: firewise@sccfiresafe.org to learn how to get started! #FirewiseUSA #UpperBlackRoad #WildfireResilience #SantaClaraCounty #FireSafe #CommunityPreparedness #DefensibleSpace #FireAdaptedCommunities #WildfireSafety #WildfirePreparedness

🎉 Big cheers for Upper Overlook Road Neighborhood! 🎉 They just became a recognized Firewise USA® community—officially making them the 27th Firewise USA® community in Santa Clara County! 🌟🔥 That’s 27 neighborhoods stepping up to boost wildfire resilience and keep our region safer. 🌳💪 ✨ Want your neighborhood to be next? 👉 Email firewise@sccfiresafe.org today and find out how to get started. Together, we can keep the momentum going—one Firewise community at a time! 🚀