Important Resources to Help You Live With Wildfire Successfully
We can do it. One step at a time and together.
Links to Greater Bay Area Fire Safe Councils – many of our site resource links are from these websites:
Fire Safe Moraga-Orinda - within Contra Costa County - MOFN sibling organization!
Diablo Fire Safe Council - Alameda and Contra Costa Counties
West Contra Costa Fire Safe Council - within Contra Costa County
Berkeley Firesafe Council – within Alameda County
Oakland Firesafe Council - withing Alameda
Fire Safe Marin - Marin County
Santa Clara County FireSafe Council - Santa Clara County
Napa Communities Firewise Foundation - Napa County
California’s Department of Insurance is very consumer-friendly and they have a lot of great information there.
All of the information below is available on this handout, (updated 4.27.21), except this resource page from the Oakland Firesafe Council of landscaping books to purchase and other links to great fire resistant landscaping info and ideas.
Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD) is the local fire protection agency protecting the cities of Orinda and Moraga. They have lots of great information on Firewise, Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program, Weed Abatement Contractor List, and more.
MOFD Fire Code as of 2021 find out exactly what you need to do to be compliant with the code.
You can report a fire hazard in the MOFD area directly to MOFD and it is anonymous.
What is a Red Flag Day and what should we do? Diablo Firesafe Council has the answers to this along with lots of other helpful tips.
EMERGENCY ALERTS
Currently, the most highly recommended way to be informed according to MOFD’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Dennis Rein, is the Aware program on Zonehaven. MOFD uses this site, type in your address to learn your evacuation zone. Use to track the progression of a wildfire and know when it is safe to return to your home.
To report a hazard program your phone with Sheriff dispatch (925) 228-8282 and Fire dispatch (925) 933-1313. Do not rely on 911.
RECEIVE EVACUATION NOTICE IN THE EVENT OF A WILDFIRE: Register your phone with the Community Warning System (CWS)and/or register with Cal Fire. You can schedule a workshop called “CWS Overview” for your neighborhood by calling or emailing Lorena Herrera at lherr001@so.cccounty.us
Continuously broadcasting emergency radio station for Lamorinda is 1670AM. If we do not have cell service or Internet, this AM station can be a lifesaver.
Nixle - Register to receive up-to-date information from local public safety departments & schools.
PulsePoint app - download to your phone and then register to receive local alerts from MOFD.
DISASTERS & EVACUATION
A terrific list of Firewise and Emergency Resources developed by Orinda Firewise Council member Joan Lucas and updated on 4.19.21. Most of the information here is on this sheet.
Lamorinda Residents’ Guide to Wildfire Preparedness and Evacuation is a great resource to start with.
Lamorinda CERT - valuable information and insight about the first critical hours following an emergency related event. You can also register for CERT training, which is very valuable to know for you and your neighborhood. You’ll get the best emergency and evacuation as a CERT volunteer.
How to Organize your Documents for Evacuation: Words of Wisdom from Lamorinda CERT at links if you want more info.
Here’s a really good Earthquake Evacuation Checklist.
Here’s a really good Evacuation Checklist for Wildfires
Best Go-Bag list: Firesafe Marin go-kit
Get a lantern for power outages
Lamorinda CERT periodically sells water drums which are a great way to store emergency water.
HOME HARDENING
A short summary of how to make your home more resistant to a wildfire from the California Fire Safe Council is excellent.
Best How-To guide for hardening your home from the Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities. Wildfire Home Retrofit Guide: How to Harden Homes for Wildfire. They also have three recordings of workshops that explain and teach this material:
What to do NOW to harden your home:
Store your flammable or combustible liquids properly. Here’s how.
Get all vent openings to your home replaced with fire resale vents and get gutter guards. ABC Supply will give a discount if you ask them.
Get an automatic gas shutoff valve
A portable Fireproof safe could be helpful
Get an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) for power outages.
Get a weather alert Radio: any brand will do, but it must have NOAA info and a “Public Alert” function.
INSURANCE RESOURCES
If your insurance gets cancelled or you need a consumer advocate contact United Policyholders.
National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) sponsors the Firewise program
Diablo Firesafe Council (DFSC) serves as a catalyst to bring together people, agencies and the means to substantially reduce the impact of wildland fire on our communities.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire)