Advice from our firefighters, preparing for the next blaze

Scotts Valley firefighters want Santa Cruz residents to do all they can to prepare for the next wildfire, if and when it comes.

Creating defensible space is essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. It’s the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surround it. This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and it protects your home from catching fire—either from direct flame contact or radiant heat. Defensible space is also important for the protection of the firefighters defending your home.

The Scotts Valley Fire Protection District provides home and property inspections to homeowners within their fire district. The Fire District highly encourages all homeowners to evaluate their property for fire safety on a regular basis.