Fire Department presents pre-attack mapping; council orders outreach and education

The Fire Department briefed the City Council on detailed "pre-attack" wildland-operational maps used to plan deployment for brush and hill fires. The maps show color-coded hazard areas, dead-end streets and red-dot structures with wood-shake roofs or other access constraints. The chief emphasized that red-dot markings are deployment tools, not a label that a house is "non-defensible." He said the maps guide where to pre-deploy crews, where to stage apparatus and where to use Class A foam to protect structures.

Council members asked whether maps and classifications help homeowners take specific precautions. The chief said the department provides annual brush-clearance notices, informational materials and inspections; he also noted the council previously banned wood-shake roofs in the mountain-fire district. Councilwoman Makowski and others urged a public education program to disseminate homeowner steps — clearing brush, managing vegetation near structures and maintaining pool pumps and other resources — and asked that the maps and guidance be available to the public and fire stations. The council voted 10–0 to adopt the findings and send follow-up items to the Public Safety committee for further action and outreach.

Next steps: Public Safety committee will develop and coordinate an education and outreach program with fire department materials and make operational maps and preparedness guidance available to residents.