High Alert: Stay Safe, Stay Prepared!
With fires raging to the north and a rise in local fire threats, Kensington Fire Safe is here to share vital tips and updates. From quick reporting advice to tackling illegal canyon camping, discover how you can help protect our community. Plus, learn about innovative fire prevention solutions and our upcoming Spring Dumpathon to keep our neighborhood resilient. Read out latest newsletter and stay vigilant, stay informed!
Make your home safer from wildfire!
Dump your canyon and yard trimmings for free in the dumpsters we provide. The spring Dumpathon runs April 17 – 28.
Funding for the Dumpathon is generously provided by a grant from SDG&E and the San Diego Fire Foundation. EDCO also donates dumpsters for this event.
Montezuma Fire: The Miracle of Only One Home Lost.
What Happened and What’s Next
When the Montezuma Fire broke out on October 31, 2024, firefighters braced for devastation, expecting to lose 15 to 20 homes. Thanks to a rapid and massive response, only one home was destroyed, leaving residents eager to learn how this miracle happened and how to prepare for the next fire.
On November 21, nearly 300 residents gathered at Hoover High School for a program to learn more about the fire and how to prepare for future wildfires. Read our blog post about the community meeting and watch a video recording of the presentation.
We all remember the terrifying brush fire that raged in Fairmont Canyon on October 15, 2019. It presumably started in a homeless encampment somewhere off Aldine. If the winds had been blowing west, not east, our Kensington canyons and potentially our homes would have been in peril. That’s why Kensington community members take fire safety seriously. It could happen any time.
Kensington Fire Safe is a community organization under the umbrella Fire Safe Council San Diego County. We are an IRS approved 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Our mission is to educate Kensington neighbors about fire safety and encourage each other to make our homes fire safe through home hardening, brush clearing and fire-resistant landscaping.
Kensington Fire Safe is a grateful recipient of a grant from SDG&E and the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation. This grant will fund our fall and spring Dumpathons. EDCO also donates dumpsters for these events. Thank you!
Kensington Fire Safe’s Latest News:
- Thoughts on the Los Angeles 2025 Fires by Greg RubinFollowing the devastating Los Angeles fires, landscape contractor Greg Rubin shares insights on fire-resistant landscaping gleaned from over 20 years of experience and the mentorship of CalFire firefighter Bert Wilson. He emphasizes the importance of plant hydration over specific plant selection, advocating for light overhead irrigation of native plants and shredded redwood mulch to create defensible space and protect homes from ember attacks. Rubin also proposes community-level solutions like lightly irrigated native greenbelts to buffer homes from wildland fires.
- Kensington residents concerned about fire risk posed by illegal encampmentsOn Tuesday, January 21, 2025 KPBS ran a story about the risks of wildfire due to illegal camping near Kensington. Amy Dyson, Judy Harrington and Mike Baldwin, all KFS board members, were interviewed. Watch the story.
- Where Do You Go for Wildfire Info?
MetroView, Jan 2025: Judy shares essential resources and expert insights on staying informed during wildfires, including recommended apps, official alerts, and emergency communication tips. - Been Hit Yet With Odd New Insurance Queries?
MetroView, Nov 2024: Learn why Kensington isn’t a Firewise or Fire Risk Reduction Community and how it might impact homeowners’ insurance. - Montezuma Fire: The Miracle of Only One Home Lost. What Happened and What’s Next
When the Montezuma Fire broke out on October 31, 2024, firefighters braced for devastation, expecting to lose 15 to 20 homes. Thanks to a rapid and massive response, only one home was destroyed, leaving residents eager to learn how this miracle happened and how to prepare for the next fire. - Ready for Zone Zero Around your Home?
MetroView, Sep. 2024: Learn how California’s new five-foot fire-free zone could impact your property and what steps you can take now to improve fire safety. - Alder Canyon Fire on September 8, 2024
A swift response prevented disaster when a fire broke out in Alder Canyon on a scorching 103-degree day. No injuries or damage, but this close call reminds us: it’s time to clear flammable brush and protect our neighborhood from future fires. - How Does Our Fire Department Compare to Others?
MetroView, Jul 2024: Discover how our fire department’s ISO rating compares to others and what it means for fire safety and insurance in Kensington. - Kensington neighbors take wildfire prevention measures
NBC 7’s Joe Little talks to Kensington neighbors who are creating defensible space around their homes.