On Tuesday, April 12, 2022, the Ross Valley Fire Department issued a press release stating that defensible space evaluations, an evaluation for fire safety on one’s property, in Kentfield and Ross will begin during the week of April 18, 2022. These inspections will be conducted by Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) in cooperation with the Kentfield Fire Protection District and Ross Valley Fire Department.

Defensible space is defined as the area around the first one hundred feet of a home. Members of the Associate Fire Safe Council (FSC) will advise property owners on how to develop or improve fire defense space around this area for wildfire safety. 

“Study after study has shown that the solution to disastrous home loss during wildfires is to prevent buildings from igniting while the wildfire burns surrounding vegetation,” said Scott Alber, Marshal and Chief of the Marin County Fire Department.

During the evaluation, inspectors encourage residents to learn more about the importance of defensible space and home-hardening. A report providing steps to reduce fire vulnerability for all homes in Ross and Kentfield will be available on Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority’s website approximately one day after each inspection.