Wildfire Preparedness in Belmont Heights and Belcrest Gardens

 

Due to our proximity to the Water Dog Open Space and Crystal Springs Cross Country Course, Belmont Heights and Belcrest Gardens face a heightened wildfire risk compared to other areas in Belmont. It's crucial for residents to proactively safeguard their homes and families.

​

Our neighborhood is part of the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI)—the zone where human development meets undeveloped wildland areas. The WUI is known for its increased wildfire risk due to dry vegetation, changing climate conditions, and the presence of homes near fire-prone landscapes. Wildfires in these areas spread quickly and can threaten communities even if they start miles away. Learn more about the Wildland-Urban Interface here:
https://www.google.com/search?q=wildland+urban+interface.

​

Even with cleared vegetation and fire-resistant materials, risks persist. Embers from wildfires can travel miles, igniting homes distant from the main fire. The best defense is to harden your home and stay prepared.

​

Key Actions for Wildfire Preparedness

​

Harden your Home

​

• Flying embers are the primary cause of homes catching fire during wildfires, rather than direct flame contact.

• Regularly clean gutters to remove debris, reducing the risk of ignition from embers.

• Install ember-resistant vents to prevent embers from entering your attic or crawl spaces https://firesafemarin.org/harden-your-home/fire-resistant-vents/​. Alternatively, or cover all vents with 1/8" or 1/16" metal mesh. Check out this informative video from a home hardening service (outside our area) that explains the installation process of ember-resistant gable and eave vents: Protect Your Home from wildfire with Ember Resistant Vents.

• Utilize fire-resistant materials for roofing, siding, and decking to enhance protection.

• For comprehensive guidance on home hardening, refer to the Wildfire Home Retrofit Guide:  https://readyforwildfire.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/wildfire-home-retrfito-guide-1.26.21.pdf

• Wildfire Home Hardening Workshop for Homeowners: https://youtu.be/vuL_udSKAlE?si=ijXuZ6QoJLV0FGq4

• Protect your home from wildfire embers: https://youtu.be/M9sel3wcBLg?si=wnZfst6vu9B03mbP

• Watch homeowners demonstrate hardening techniques, including installing gutter covers, vent meshes, and implementing Zone 0, removing all combustible materials within 5 feet of structures: https://youtu.be/VmqaVhqx6s8?si=1lQ2cMPmwjfm9Mxv

• Harden you Home video playlist

​​

​Establish Defensible Space

​

• Zone 0 - Ember-Resistant Zone. Zone 0 extends 5 feet from buildings, structures, decks, etc. Zone 0 is key for wildfire defense and preventing fires from spreading to your home. Here are the current guidelines: 

  • Use gravel, pavers, or concrete instead of combustible mulch

  • Clear dead weeds, grass, and debris; check roofs, gutters, and outdoor areas

  • Keep branches trimmed 10 feet away from chimneys and stovepipes

  • Minimize combustible items like furniture and planters on decks

  • Move firewood and lumber to Zone 2 for safety

  • Replace combustible fencing and gates with fire-resistant materials

  • Shift garbage and recycling containers to a safer area outside this zone

  • Relocate boats, RVs, and vehicles away from this zone to reduce fire risks

• Zone 1 - Lean, Clean and Green Zone. Zone 1 extends 30 feet from buildings, structures, decks, etc. or to your property line, whichever is closer.

  • Clear all dead plants, grass, and weeds

  • Remove dead leaves and pine needles from your yard, roof, and gutters

  • Trim overhanging branches and keep them 10 feet from your chimney

  • Regularly trim trees to maintain a 10-foot gap from others

  • Move wood piles to Zone 2

  • Prune flammable plants and shrubs near windows

  • Clear flammable vegetation and items from under decks, balconies, and stairs

  • Maintain space between trees, shrubs, and flammable items like patio furniture and wood piles

  • Ensure outbuildings and LPG tanks have 10 feet of clear space to bare soil and no flammable vegetation within an additional 10 feet around them

• Zone 2 - Reduce Fuel Zone. Zone 2 extends from 30 feet to 100 feet out from buildings, structures, decks, etc. or to your property line, whichever is closer.

  • Trim annual grass to a maximum height of 4 inches

  • Space out shrubs and trees horizontally (See diagram)

  • Ensure vertical spacing between grass, shrubs, and trees (See diagram)

  • Remove fallen leaves, needles, and small branches, but can leave up to 3 inches

  • Keep exposed wood piles at least 10 feet clear from surroundings, down to the soil

  • Ensure outbuildings and LPG tanks have 10 feet of clear space to bare soil and no flammable vegetation within an additional 10 feet around them

• For detailed guidelines on creating defensible space, visit https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/defensible-space/

• The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety emphasizes the importance of the 0-5 foot zone in protecting structures. Learn more at https://ibhs.org/wildfire/near-building-noncombustible-zone/.

• Watch as a Fire Chief Debunks Defensible Space Myths https://youtu.be/a4JpOdS9ffI?si=95cf933wGL9DiDIu

​

​Evacuation Preparedness 

​​

• Sign up for SMC Alert San Mateo County’s primary alert and warning system

• Prepare a "Go Bag" with essentials for each family member, including pets. Include:

  • Three days of non-perishable food and water (one gallon per person, per day).

  • Clothing, hygiene items, medications, and spare eyeglasses or contacts.

  • Copies of important documents, emergency tools, and extra cash or credit cards.

  • Pet food and supplies.

  • For a full checklist, visit https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/emergency-supply-kit/.

• General Emergency Preparedness Checklists: Prepare for any emergency with these detailed checklists covering first aid essentials, non-perishable food supplies, power-related items, vital tools, considerations for children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities, as well as pet preparedness: https://couponfollow.com/research/budgeting-and-preparing-for-disasters​

• Establish a family emergency plan:

  • Designate a meeting place outside the evacuation zone.

  • Ensure everyone knows evacuation routes and "Go Bag" locations.

• Know Your Evacuation Zone

  • The evacuation zone for our area is BEL-E002, as designated in Genasys Protect (formerly Zonehaven) and used by our first responders.

  • Check real-time evacuation status and view evacuation maps for Belmont Heights and Belcrest Gardens on Genasys Protect: https://protect.genasys.com/zones/US-CA-XSM-BEL-E002

​​

Evacuation Steps and Actions

​​

​What to Do When a Wildfire is Near Your Home

Watch this short video for essential wildfire preparation tips: What to Do When a Wildfire is Near Your House

​

Before You Evacuate

Follow these steps to prepare your home and family:

1. Fuel Up: Always keep your vehicle at least half full of gas or fully charged if electric.

2. Secure Your Home:

   • Close all windows and doors, including interior doors.

   • Leave all doors unlocked to allow firefighter access (they won’t be able to re-secure a broken door).

3. Move Flammable Furniture: Remove outdoor furniture and other flammable items from decks, moving them either 30 feet away from structures or inside your home.

4. Shut Off Gas: Turn off your gas at the meter. (Caution: Only PG&E can restore your gas service after it has been shut off!)

5. Leave Lights On: Turn on all lights inside and outside your home for better visibility, day or night.

6. Park for a Quick Exit: Park your car facing outward to ensure a smooth and fast departure.

​

When You Evacuate

1. Help Your Neighbors: Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbors to see if they need assistance.

2. Primary Evacuation Route: Proceed on Hallmark Drive to Ralston Road.

3. Alternate Evacuation Route: If the Hallmark/Ralston intersection is blocked, emergency services will unlock the gate at the barrier at the end of Hallmark Drive. Both Belmont and San Carlos fire and police departments have access to unlock this gate.

​

​Additional Resources​

​

City of Belmont Emergency Preparedness Resources

To assist residents, the City of Belmont has launched several new webpages:

• The new for Spring of 2025 Wildfire Preparedness page provides a wealth of resources to help residents get better prepared: https://www.belmont.gov/departments/fire/wildfire-preparedness

• Emergency Updates: Provides critical updates during emergencies. Sign up to receive City News directly in your inbox. Visit: http://www.belmont.gov/emergency

• Emergency Resources: Offers tools, alerts like SMC Alert, and all-hazard preparedness guidance.
  Visit: http://www.belmont.gov/emergencyresources

• BHCIA Meeting of 03-19-2025 video of presentation by Brigitte Shearer (Parks and Recreation Director, City of Belmont) and Melinda Martin, (SMCFD Deputy Fire Marshal) (for BHCIA members only): https://www.bhcia.org/member-videos

San Mateo County and Regional Resources:

• San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department: http://www.smcfire.org and Wildfire Preparedness https://www.smcfire.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Wildfire-Preparedness-2025.pdf

• Fire Safe San Mateo County: https://www.firesafesanmateo.org/ and Fire Resistant Plants List: https://www.firesafesanmateo.org/preparedness/defensible-space/fire-resistant-plant-list

• Mid-Peninsula Water District Fire Preparedness and Planning: http://www.midpeninsulawater.org

• Cal Fire: Low-Cost Ways to Fire Harden your Home https://readyforwildfire.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Low-Cost-Retrofit-List-Updated-5_1_2024.pdf

• Cal Fire firePLANNER: https://plan.readyforwildfire.org/en

Explore these resources and take action to prepare your family and home.

​

The Insurance Institute’s Wildfire Prepared Program

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety has launched a program to help residents enhance their wildfire resilience. This initiative includes:

• Online self-assessments to evaluate your home’s wildfire safety.

• Home inspections by professionals to identify improvements.

Learn more and get started: https://wildfireprepared.org/

​

Schedule Your Free Wildfire Safety Assessment

The San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department (SMCFD) offers free on-site wildfire safety assessments to help residents identify risks and make their homes more resilient.

How to Schedule Your Assessment:

1. Call the SMCFD Community Risk Reduction Division at 650.522.7940.

2. Press 2 for Vegetation Management.

3. Request a Free Wildfire Safety Assessment for your property.

What to Do if You Reach Voicemail:

• Leave a message with:

  • Your name

  • Your phone number

  • Your address

  • Mention that you are requesting a free wildfire safety assessment as seen on the BHCIA website.

A representative from the Fire Department will contact you to schedule your on-site visit.

Take advantage of this free service to ensure your home is as wildfire-ready as possible.

​

Asbestos and Natural Disasters

​

• After natural disasters including wildfires and earthquakes, damaged asbestos-containing materials may expose residents, first responders and clean-up crews to asbestos fibers in the air

​

• Breathing in asbestos fibers can lead to serious health conditions years later, potentially leading to a cancer called mesothelioma

​

• Learn what to do during wildfires to reduce asbestos exposure 

​​​​

​

Wildfire Readiness Resource Hub​

​