Wildfire preparedness starts at home – Welcome to San Bernardino County

Wildfire Preparedness Week 2025 is a timely reminder from the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District that preparedness is not a one-time effort. It is a year-round responsibility. This year’s theme is Building a Fire Ready Future. The theme focuses on personal responsibility and communitywide readiness.

Preparedness begins at the foundation. Zone Zero is the first five feet around a structure and is one of the most important areas to protect. Homes with a well-maintained Zone Zero are more likely to survive wildfire.

Steps to create and maintain Zone Zero:

Remove dry vegetation, mulch and wood fencing
Replace with non-combustible materials such as gravel or stone
Clean roofs, decks and gutters frequently
Trim branches that are within six feet of the home and ten feet of chimneys
Relocate firewood, garbage bins and outdoor furniture away from the home

Preparedness requires action. Start by taking these steps:

Create defensible space around your home
Use ignition resistant building materials
Make a wildfire action plan and review it with your household
Sign up for emergency alerts at sbcfire.org/alerts
Access wildfire safety tools and tips at sbcfire.co/fire

Fire season no longer has a start or end date. It is a year-round threat. In 2024, California experienced more than one million acres burned. The Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire together destroyed over 16,000 structures and took dozens of lives.

Every step you take today helps protect your home, your neighbors and your community tomorrow.