Attachment 1February 15, 2019
Dear Property Owner
The wildland fire problem is larger and more complex than any one individual, community or agency can
hope to overcome. The ability to adapt to wildfire is critical, and collaborative partnerships are key to
building and maintaining fire resilient communities.
As part of this effort, the Santa Clara County Fire Department will be presenting with local law enforcement
agencies several upcoming Wildfire Preparedness Community Meetings. We invite you to come and learn
more about the Ready, Set, Go program and participate in discussions about establishing action plans,
preparing emergency kits, how to stay informed and when to evacuate in the event of a wildfire. For more
details, please see the enclosed flyer.
You play a vital role in keeping not only your property safe, but your neighborhood safe. Creating defensible
space around your property is essential to increase the chances of your home and other structures surviving
a wildfire. Defensible space is the buffer created around a structure when combustible vegetation is
removed, reduced or replaced. This buffer space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and it
protects your home from catching fire—either from direct flame or radiant heat. Defensible space is also
important for the protection of the firefighters defending your home.
Your property is in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone of the Wildland Urban Interface Area (WUI)
and requires 100 feet of defensible space (or to the property line) from all structures. For your specific
requirements, please see the Enforced Safety Regulations (A-F) below:
Enforced Safety Regulations (Items A-F)
A.Create 100 feet of Defensible Space around your home. To accomplish this, you must clear all
flammable vegetation a minimum of 30 feet around structures. Additionally, create a reduced
fuel zone for the remaining 70 feet (or to your property line).
B.Clear dead leaves and branches from shrubs and trees.
C.Remove pine needles and leaves from roofs, eaves and rain gutters.
D.Trim tree limbs 10 feet from chimneys & stove pipes; remove dead limbs that hang over rooftops.
E.Cover chimney outlets or flues with a 1/2” mesh spark arrester.
F. Post a clearly visible house address, using at least 4” high numbers, for easy identification.
For homes located more than 50 feet from street, post address numbers at the driveway entrance.
Additional Safety Recommendations
•Create a noncombustible area a minimum of 5 feet from structures.
•Clear 10 feet around and 15 feet above fuels (e.g. woodpiles, lumber, scrap, etc.) Move all
woodpiles as far away as possible from structures.
SANTA CLARA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
ATTN: FIRE PREVENTION DIVISION
14700 WINCHESTER BOULEVARD
LOS GATOS, CA 95032-1818
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ATTACHMENT 1
• Clear vegetation and other combustible material from underneath decks. Enclose elevated decks
with fire-resistive materials.
• Trees 18-feet or taller should be limbed up 6-feet from the ground. Provide additional vertical
clearance when trees have vegetation beneath it.
Owner Responsibilities:
1. You have the option to complete the required work yourself, hire your own contractor, or you may
elect to schedule the authorized contractor to perform the work. If you choose to have the authorized
contractor perform the work, the charges will appear on your next property tax bill.
2. Please complete the attached information card to report the current status of your property and return
before April 1, 2019.
Inspection Schedule:
On April 1, 2019, Santa Clara County Fire Department will begin conducting property inspections. Property
owners not in compliance will be notified of what work needs to be completed to comply with the Enforced
Safety Regulations. Please contact us if you are unable to complete the required work due to late season
rains or other special circumstance.
On June 1, 2019, we will begin conducting re-inspections of the properties that were out of compliance at
the time of the first property inspection. Properties must comply with the Enforced Safety Regulations (Items
A, B, C and D) otherwise the compliance work will be completed by the Town of Los Gatos’ authorized
contractor and the charges for this service will appear on your next property tax bill.
If you would like to schedule a courtesy property inspection, have questions regarding the safety compliance
of your property or for more information about the upcoming wildfire preparedness community meetings,
please contact the Fire Prevention Division at 408.378.4010.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping to establish a fire safe community.
Sincerely,
Julie Linney, Deputy Chief
Fire Prevention Division
Resources and Information
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS): www.DisasterSafety.org/wildfire • 813.286.3400
Conducts compelling wildfire research and provides resources on how to prevent and reduce damage to property and buildings
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E): www.PGE.com • 800.743.5000
Services include courtesy gas appliance inspections, energy conservation, tree management and electrical safety near power lines
Santa Clara County Fire Department: www.SCCFD.org • 408.378.4010
Offers community education and risk reduction services, including fire safety, injury prevention, disaster and wildfire preparedness
Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council: www.SCCFireSafe.org • 408.975.9591
Protects and educates communities at risk from wildfire through fuel reduction programs, outreach and community planning efforts
Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Services: www.SCCgov.org/sites/oes • 408.808.7800
Coordinates county-wide all hazards preparedness, including AlertSCC Emergency Alert System and ReadySCC Mobile App
Please Complete and Return
I have received the annual Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Enforced Safety Regulations letter related to flammable
vegetation abatement. The current status of my property is as follows:
τ I have inspected my property for flammable vegetation clearance and believe it complies with the Enforced Safety
Regulations. I understand that an inspection of my property may be conducted to verify compliance.
τ I will remove flammable vegetation around all structures on my property in accordance with the Enforced Safety
Regulations no later than June 1, 2019. I understand that if the required work is not completed, the authorized contractor
may complete the work and the charges will appear on my next property tax bill.
τ I authorize the designated contractor to enter my property and clear all flammable vegetation to comply with the
Enforced Safety Regulations. I understand the charges to complete this work will appear on my next property tax bill.
τ I would like to schedule an appointment with the Santa Clara County Fire Department to assist me by providing a courtesy
inspection of my property for recommendations of the work needed to comply with the Enforced Safety Regulations.
τ I am no longer the owner of this property.
Name (print clearly): _____________________________________________________________ Date: _________________
Phone: (______)____________________ Email: ___________________________________________________________
τ There are no structures on this property.