The Risk of Wildfire in San Carlos

The recent Los Angeles wildfires, including the Palisades and Eaton Fires, have been devastating, marking one of the most expensive wildfire disasters in U.S. history. Preliminary estimates indicate economic losses between $135 billion and $150 billion, surpassing previous records for wildfire-related damages. These fires, which claimed 27 lives, destroyed over 12,000 structures, and forced the evacuation of more than 200,000 residents, have reignited concerns about wildfire preparedness across California.

 

Interview with Battalion Chief Glendon Chan

Battalion Chief Glendon Chan of the Redwood City Fire Department, who heads the Training Division, commented on the challenges firefighters faced during large-scale incidents like the recent Palisade fires in Los Angeles. Chief Chan highlighted the strain on LA’s water infrastructure: ‘A hydrant was designed to put out a fire in 2-3 houses, but a fire happening to all these houses altogether in a short span of hours was unprecedented.’

He likened the overwhelmed system to turning on every faucet in a house at full capacity while attempting to flush the toilet simultaneously. CBS News reported that the LA Department of Water and Power faced four times the normal water demand for 15 hours straight, with firefighting hoses consuming hundreds of gallons per minute and multiple hydrants rapidly depleting million-gallon tanks. The situation was further exacerbated by thick smoke, which grounded aerial firefighting efforts.

Chief Chan noted that San Mateo County shares similar wildfire risks, including drought conditions, overgrown vegetation, and the strong Diablo Winds. He emphasized that wildfire preparedness is no longer seasonal but a year-round necessity, as illustrated by the January fires in LA. The Redwood City Fire Department proactively addresses these challenges by being up to date with the annual state mandate for fire and life safety inspections, fuel mitigation efforts, annual firefighter wildland training, various resiliency trainings for staff and community preparedness education for the public.

 

RCFD Chief Glendon Chan and Friends

Pictured left to right: Battalion Chief Glendon Chan, Deputy Chief Greg DaCunha, Captain Michael Elhihi, Deputy Chief Marta Barker.

During a recent presentation to the City Council, Deputy Chief Greg DaCunha likewise of the Redwood City Fire Department highlighted wildfire mitigation efforts in San Carlos. Funded by the City Council and guided by an expert consultant, the Fire Department collaborates with San Carlos Public Works and SCPR to reduce vegetation risks. In 2024, efforts focused on Eaton Park, Canyon Park, and Arguello Park, with La Mesa Drive next on the list.

Residents are encouraged to contribute by reporting locations with overgrown vegetation, dead trees, and other hazards in public and private spaces. The city also maintains around 1,000 hydrants, all visually inspected annually, with 20% annually tested for functionality. Water in these hydrants are primarily supplied by CALWater.

 

 

Going back to Chief Chan, he also mentions the California Fire Assistance Agreement, ensuring a coordinated response in the case of extraordinary wildfires within the state. In the case of aerial firefighting resources, Cal Fire has aerial firefighting resources strategically placed throughout the state.

Most importantly, Chief Chan stressed the importance of community readiness, urging residents to develop evacuation plans and heed warnings promptly, even before official evacuation orders are issued. Staying informed through emergency alert systems is critical for immediate awareness and safety. Chief Chan recommends everyone to sign up to the following websites / apps in order to stay informed:

 

For Wild Fire and Evacuation Notices: San Mateo County Alerts: https://www.smcgov.org/dem/smc-alert 

 

For Real-Time Updates on Evacuation Routes: Download App at https://protect.genasys.com/download and type in your home address to identify your evacuation zone. 

 

Assessing the Risk

While Southern California faces heightened risks due to dry vegetation and strong winds, Northern California and San Carlos remains vulnerable despite slightly higher rainfall this season. As experts caution, “it’s not a matter of if, but when the next fire will strike”. CalFire’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer in 2024 designates Los Angeles and San Mateo County, including areas of Beverly Terrace and Alder Manor in San Carlos (in total 27% of all homes in San Carlos), as very high-risk areas:

Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer San Carlos CA 2

Notably, the two largest wildfires in California’s history, the Dixie and August Complex Fires, which burned nearly a million acres each, occurred in the northern part of the state – all within the past decade. The increasing frequency and intensity of these events highlight the growing baseline risk due to prolonged dry spells and climate change.

 

What You Can Do

Local governments and residents alike are advised to remain vigilant. Home hardening measures, like retrofitting homes with non-combustible materials, can significantly reduce wildfire risks, while local governments statewide are exploring ways to enhance their preparedness for increasingly severe wildfire emergencies. As the cost, impact, and severity of wildfires continue to rise, proactive measures are critical to safeguarding communities across California.

In the next blog, we highlight what you can do as concerned citizens…

 

How to Prepare for a Wildfire in San San Carlos

 

Defensible Space Zones

 


For More News

For more of what’s happening in and around San Carlos, please visit San Carlos Life Blog

About San Carlos Life

Mark Martinho and Vivienne Kelvin are the hosts of San Carlos Life and have been residents of San Carlos for years. While running San Carlos Life together with an awesome team, Mark and Viv are also in the business of real estate. They are co-owners of Vabrato Real Estate, a luxury real estate brokerage serving the City of Good Living, and the whole of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

With over 30 years of combined experience in the business and 95% of their clients coming in from referrals, Mark and Viv take great pride and joy in exceeding your expectations.

Contact Mark and Viv of Vabrato Real Estate

 

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