Fire Safe Marin Public Programs

 

Wildfire Watch (2021–2022) — addresses residents’ wildfire concerns and provides the most current wildfire prevention and preparedness information needed to protect family and home

Webinars — Living with Fire in Marin (2020-2021)

W I L D F I R E   W A T C H

Episode 1:
Ember Storms + When the Power Goes Out

September 16, 2021

Highlights include:
Episode 1: Fire Beat—a recurring segment that delivers up-to-the-minute news on fire activity and mitigation efforts throughout Marin; Ember demonstration—how certain plants are more prone to ember ignition, challenging residents to make their homes ember safe — with Quinn Gardener 17:36  Interview —with a first responder about what’s it like on the front lines, the critical decisions it takes to assess the situation, get people to safety, and contain a fire; Do-It-Yourself — a how-to to access the first five feet of your home for vulnerabilities ahead of a Red Flag Warning; In-Studio Discussion — with trained defensible space inspectors to talk about the most common fire hazard issues around a home and practical fixes.
Table of Contents:  Promotion 0:12 Introduction in studio:42 Voices of Marin 5:20 Interview with Captain Oscar Arenas 12:00 Ember demonstration with Quinn Gardener 17:36 In studio with host 18:10 Public Service Announcement – Chippy 18:59 In studio with host 19:37 Interview with home evaluation inspectors Daniel Reese and Nicholas Rodriguez 25:46 In studio with host 26:12 DIY with Arann Harris 33:33 In studio with host 33:43 Fire Beat with Mark Brown 37:35 In studio – battery demonstration 44:10 Public Service Announcement – Power Shutoff Checklist 45:59 Q&A from residents

Episode 2:
Evacuation: Marin Has a Plan! + The Problem with Bamboo

October 14, 2021

Episode 2 focuses on evacuations. The recent Mt. Lassen FIre in Lucas Valley provides a focal point to learn from residents’ personal stories of evacuation and firefighters’ coordinated efforts to contain the fire. Arann Harris, the DIY Guy, shows residents how to ready their home during an evacuation warning; Battalion Chief Todd Lando gives life-saving instructions on how to survive a wildfire evacuation, and MWPA Executive Director Mark Brown explains fall weather patterns and why it is absolutely critical residents not let their guard down. evacuation.

Table of Contents: 0:00 Wildfire Watch introduction 0:11 Host introduction 0:50 Voices of Marin 4:28 Operation of putting out a wildfire – Interview with Captain Brett McTigue 10:06 Zonehaven 13:14 Fire Beat with MWPA Director Mark Brown 15:48 How to prepare a Go Bag 18:46 Evacuation checklist PSA 19:50 DIY Guy explains what to do if you get an evacuation order 26:10 How to survive a wildfire evacuation, Battalion Chief Todd Lando 30:37 Myth busters, cars, and evacuations 31:31 Spotlight on Marin resident

Episode 3:
Are Trees a Threat?

November 11, 2021

Episode 3 

Episode 3 takes a look at something we can’t live without, but need to learn how to manage properly: trees! Take away simple tips to assess the trees around your home, how to maintain trees on your property safely and what trees pose the greatest fire risk from professionals who have seen it all.
Zany and fun DIY Guy Arann Harris teams up with Marin County Fire Chief Jason Weber and his trusty Weber barbecue to take us behind the scenes of their fire lab and show us what it can look like when Italian Cypress burns.
Table of Contents 0:00 Introduction 0:10 Host introduction 1:15 Voices of Marin, residents’ concerns about trees 2:43 Interview with Deputy Fire Marshall Lynn Osgood, tree hazards 8:22 DIY Guy, how to maintain trees safely 14:23 Mythbuster, my neighbor’s tree 15:50 Weber’s Weber, Italian Cypress burn 25:19 Q & A from residents 26:03 Tree maintenance song

 

Episode 4:
The Cost of Wildfire

December 14, 2021

Episode 4

We get it — doing wildfire prevention work around your home can be costly. But consider what is at stake. In this episode, residents from Paradise, California offer an urgent message for us to wake up and get busy. Find out how to cut costs by doing the work yourself, offset costs through local and state grant programs, and stay insured in case of disaster.
Table of Contents 00:10 Introduction – Hosted by Novato Fire Chief Bill Tyler 01:46 Voices of Marin local residents express concerns and ask questions 04:00 Lessons from Paradise – residents share their lessons from their loss 12:12 Interview – Assembymember Marc Levin discusses state grants and wildfire insurance ratings 16:54 Fire Beat – MWPA Executive Coordinator Mark Brown tells us what’s happening around Marin 18:23 Firehouse Rock: Preparation Jam – an animated music video 19:49 DIY – How to install fire resistant vents 26:51 Mythbusters – Battalion Chief Todd Lando debunks the notion that fire resistant materials are more costly Closing (28:00) Chief Tyler points us to local wildfire mitigation grants for Marin residents 

 

Episode 5:
What Makes a Landscape Safe?

February 16, 2022

Episode 5

What Makes a Landscape Safe?  Backyard Do’s and Don’ts
The 5th Episode of Wildfire Watch promotes a shift towards fire-smart landscaping and highlights the new responsibilities that this poses to local landscapers, nurseries, and real estate agents.
Table of Contents 0:00 Wildfire Watch trailer 0:11 Host introduction 1:06 “Voices of Marin” – questions and concerns of people around the county, including Spanish speaking 3:29 Backyard fuel breaks – do’s and don’ts 8:35 DIY – a field trip to West End Nursery to learn about good choices to replace hazardous plants 14:15 In-studio interview with Romeo Arrieta, CEO of Marin Association of Realtors (and a new FSM Board member) and agent Kelly Erickson – increasing home value and making Marin a safer investment

FIRESafe MARIN W E B I N A R S

Living with Fire in Marin (2020–2021)

2021

Home Hardening 2
W A T C H  V I D E O

January 26, 2021
Speakers: Steve Quarles, Chief Scientist (retired) IBHS & Yana Valachovic, Forest Advisor UC Agric. & Natural Resources

 

Fire-Smart Landscaping
W A T C H  V I D E O
April 27, 2021
Speakers: Fay Mark (UC Marin Master Gardeners)

 


Fire Insurance. Are You Covered?
July 27, 2021
W A T C H   V I D E O
Speakers: Amy Bach, Ex. Director (United Policy Holders); Joel Laucher, Insurance Consultant (Regulatory Insurance Advisors and United Policy Holders); Janet Ruiz, Director – Strategic Communications (Insurance Information Institute)

Zone 0 – Ground Zero When Protecting Your Home From Embers
W A T C H  V I D E O 
February 23, 2021 

Speakers: Todd Lando, Hazard Mitigation Specialist/Battalion Chief (Central Marin FD) & Steve Quarles, Chief Scientist (ret’d) IBHS


Environmental Considerations For Homeowners When Creating A Fire Smart Landscape
W A T C H  V I D E O
 May 25, 2021
Speakers: Ecologically Sound Practices Partnership TBD

Marin Center for Independent Living: Emergency Preparation for People with Access and Functional Needs: Powered and Prepared
W A T C H  V I D E O
August 31, 2021
Speakers: Eli Gelardin (MarinCIL)

 

 Creating Defensible Space
W A T C H  V I D E O
March 30, 2021
Speakers: Todd Lando, Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Specialist/Battalion Chief (Central Marin FD), Ray Moritz, Arborist (Urban Forestry Associates), and Bonnie Morse Beekeeper (Bonnie Bee & Company)

Pet Evacuation: Fire-Safe Animal Information for Large Animals and House Pets
W A T C H  V I D E O
June 29, 2021
Speakers: Julie Atwood (Halter Project) and Captain Cindy Machado (Marin Humane)

 

 

2020

Current North Bay Fire Trends and What We’re Doing to Prepare
July 28, 2020
Watch Video         Q & A
Speakers: Deputy Chief Mark Brown (Marin County FD); Supervisor Katie Rice (Marin County)

 

Wildfire 101:
How Wildfires Burn in the WUI
October 27, 2020 
Watch Video  Q & A
Speakers: Steve Quarles, Chief Scientist (retired) IBHS & Yana Valachovic, Forest Advisor, UC Agriculture & Natural Resources

Evacuation & Warnings –
How to Survive a Wildfire
August 25, 2020
Watch Video        Q & A
Speakers: Todd Lando, Hazard Mitigation Specialist/Battalion Chief (Central Marin FD); Dr. Shannamar Dewey (Camp Fire Evacuee & Survivor)

Home Hardening 1
November 17, 2020
Watch Video   Q & A 
Speakers: Steve Quarles, Chief Scientist (retired) IBHS & Yana Valachovic, Forest Advisor UC Agric. & Natural Resources

 

Community Organizing for Fire Preparedness & Incorporation of Ecologically Sound Practices
September 29, 2020
Watch Video           Q & A
Speakers: Firewise Liason John Hansen;  Belle Cole, Chair Ecologically Sound Practices

Vegetation Management Practices in Marin’s Open Space
Watch Video
December 15, 2020 
Speakers: Mike Swezy (Marin Conservation League) and Max Korten, Director (Marin County Parks)