Spring Poppies In Carmel Valley
Here is a new map (April 1, 2024) of the Fire Hazard Security (Risk) Zones for Carmel Valley. Pink is highest risk, dark yellow is high risk and lighter yellow is medium risk. It appears that the Los Tulares subdivision is the lighter yellow color, which means we have a medium risk but are surrounded by very high risk areas. The area below with diagonal green lines are indicated separately because they are the state's responsibility.
Review this GREAT EVACUATION PLANNING SUMMARY
From the Monterey County Department of Emergency Management
The Monterey County Department of Emergency Management has developed an excellent and easy-to-follow guide for how to prepare for emergency evacuations. You can access and download the guide through this link.
From the Monterey County Department of Emergency Management
The Monterey County Department of Emergency Management has developed an excellent and easy-to-follow guide for how to prepare for emergency evacuations. You can access and download the guide through this link.
The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection held a seminar in March, 2025, to discuss the fires in Los Angeles and the new SB504 state regulation concerning cleared and safe areas around residential dwellings. They produced a very informative Power Point presentation and here is the link: calfire.app.box.com/s/0khq8vpw2l9lsi05u4wcyh0bbfc3jso1
Here is a link to a recent article from the Monterey Bay Firewise Partners discussing the recent fires in Los Angeles and Moss Landing, with some pertinent suggestions about what each resident of our fire prone area should be doing. Monterey county is more susceptible to wildfires than 99% of the communities in the US.
www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_news/after-disasters-in-la-and-moss-landing-how-prepared-is-monterey-county/article_7c10d93e-d918-11ef-9570-6fb6076eec99.html
www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_news/after-disasters-in-la-and-moss-landing-how-prepared-is-monterey-county/article_7c10d93e-d918-11ef-9570-6fb6076eec99.html
Cal Fire just published this new booklet about how to harden your home to reduce the possibility of fire damage. A copy was placed in your mailbox, but you can also read it here by following this link.
PG&E Grant to Remove Roadside Brush
Los Tulares was one of three local communities that received a grant from PG&E to clear excess roadside brush. This grant allowed us to remove some of the excess growth from the entrance of Los Tulares on Carmel Valley Road up to the intersection with Vista Verde and to clear roadside brush along all roads in Los Tulares. This brush removal project was in collaboration with FSCMC (Firewise Safety Council Monterey County), MCRFD (Monterey County Regional Fire District) and PG&E. The work was completed in 2023, and we would like to acknowledge and thank Pam Peck, who wrote and submitted the grant application on our behalf.
Los Tulares was one of three local communities that received a grant from PG&E to clear excess roadside brush. This grant allowed us to remove some of the excess growth from the entrance of Los Tulares on Carmel Valley Road up to the intersection with Vista Verde and to clear roadside brush along all roads in Los Tulares. This brush removal project was in collaboration with FSCMC (Firewise Safety Council Monterey County), MCRFD (Monterey County Regional Fire District) and PG&E. The work was completed in 2023, and we would like to acknowledge and thank Pam Peck, who wrote and submitted the grant application on our behalf.
On December 7, 2022, Los Tulares was accepted as a nationally recognized Firewise Community!!
To link to a printable copy of the Certificate shown above, please click here.
There are now over 600 Firewise Communities in the United States, 33 in Monterey County and 19 in Carmel Valley. The acceptance includes the homes along Vista Verde.
The Firewise USA recognition program is administered by NFPA and provides a network to assist residents in designated geographic areas become organized and take actions to reduce the risk of wildfire damage and loss in their neighborhoods. Firewise recognition is provided when communities meet the program criteria, including forming a Board of Directors, obtaining a written risk assessment form from a local fire department, and completing the application.
There are many BENEFITS to being a Firewise Community, including a possible reduction in homeowner's insurance premiums and the possibility of participating in grants to reduce fire hazards, including the recently approved Resource Conservation District of Monterey County. Firewise communities also share an enhanced cooperation among residents to work together in reducing wildfire risks.
Being a Firewise Community is an ongoing process and there are many ways that each homeowner can help:
1. Keep track of the hours you spend mitigating fire risk around your home and record these hours and expenses on the Time and Expenses website page. Please do this every time some work is completed. We need to establish and maintain a minimum number of community hours devoted to fire mitigation to qualify for and maintain the Firewise Community status.
2. Install or replace mesh screens around the house vents so the openings are 1/8" or smaller. These screens are available in a wide range of sizes at Hayward Lumber in Pacific Grove--1140 Sunset Dr. Tel. 831-373-1326. It is often not necessary to remove the older screens as the ones with smaller openings can be easily attached behind them.
3. Read and follow the form below--"How To Prepare Your Home For Wildfires". It is important to cut off lower limbs on larger trees and remove all landscaping from a five foot perimeter around your house. This five foot perimeter will become state law in January, 2024.
First Day of River Fire, 2020
