Wildfire Preparedness: Steps to protect your home and community
Preparing for wildfires is more important than ever. Recent fires in Southern California, new Cal OES Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps, and upcoming “Zone 0” regulations highlight the urgency for action.
On March 13, 2025, the Town of Atherton, the Menlo Park Fire Protection District (MPFPD), and A.D.A.P.T. (Atherton Disaster and Preparedness Team) hosted a Community Wildfire Preparedness Forum. Menlo Fire Chief Lorenzen, Menlo Fire Risk Reduction Officer Heather Keller, and Susan Warren, President of A.D.A.P.T., shared practical tips through informative presentations.
A.D.A.P.T. also invites residents to its monthly community meetings, typically held the first Saturday of each month from 9:00-10:30 am. A.D.A.P.T. is Atherton’s neighborhood-level volunteer-based organization working to build a safer and more prepared community.
Sign up or download these key alert systems to stay informed:
- SMC Alert
- Genasys Protect App: Recommended with location-tracking enabled.
- Watch Duty App: Provides real-time wildfire tracking.
Prepare your family and home:
- Evacuation Readiness: Prepare “go bags” for each family member, including pets. Create a plan and maintain a hard copy contact list. Learn more online.
- Home Hardening: Reduce the risk of embers igniting your home by reinforcing vents, roofs, and windows. Learn more here and here.
- Community Collaboration: We can also work with neighbors to establish a Firewise USA community, which may lower fire insurance premiums. Woodside and Portola Valley are actively taking this approach. Learn more about general requirements.
