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The Ross Valley Fire Department is asking that you “help us help you”...
My name is Dan Mahoney, and for those of you that I have not yet met, I’m honored to introduce myself as your Fire Chief. I have been a member of the Department for 26 years and was born and raised in Fairfax, a town in which I still live. It’s a privilege to serve the communities of Ross, Fairfax, San Anselmo, and Sleepy Hollow. I look forward to working together to keep our neighborhoods safe, prepared, and resilient.
Protecting our communities requires proactive effort from our residents. Being prepared to evacuate, creating and maintaining defensible space, home hardening, and ensuring roadways are clear for emergency vehicles are essential components of community safety.
The Ross Valley Fire Department is asking that you “help us help you” by doing the following:
Prepare to Evacuate
Evacuation preparedness starts now — not when the fire is at your door. Make a family evacuation plan, register for emergency alerts, and familiarize yourself with your local evacuation routes.
Simple steps to increase your readiness:
- Register to receive Emergency Alerts Emergency Alert Registration
- Practice your evacuation plan with your family Evacuation Planning
- Evacuate safely Evacuating Safely In Your Vehicle
- Know your Evacuation Routes Evacuation Routes
EVACUATION DRILL: As part of our commitment to public safety, the Ross Valley Fire Department—alongside our law enforcement partners—will be conducting an evacuation drill on Saturday, September 6. This is a valuable opportunity for residents to practice their evacuation plans and take meaningful steps to improve wildfire preparedness.
For more information on the upcoming evacuation drill : Evacuation Drill
Defensible Space
Defensible space is the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surrounds it. This space is critical in slowing the spread of fire and giving firefighters a safer area to work. Maintaining at least 100 feet of defensible space can be the difference between a structure that survives and one that does not.
Key defensible space tips include:
- Removing dead plants, grass and weeds
- Trimming tree branches 6–10 feet from the ground
- Clearing leaves and debris from roofs and gutters
- Creating separation between shrubs and trees
For more information on creating defensible space: Fire Safe Marin - Defensible Space
Home Hardening
Buildings ignite during wildfires as a result of one or more of these three basic wildfire exposures: embers (also called firebrands), radiant heat, and direct flame contact. The most common source of home ignition is from embers. It is critical to ensure that your home can resist ember ignition by installing proper vents, removing combustible materials next to your home, sealing any openings into the home, enclosing soffits, installing tempered glass double pane windows, and correctly installing gutters and gutter guards.
Key home hardening tips include:
- Enclosing soffits
- Installing proper vents
- Installing gutter guards
- Installing tempered glass double pane windows
For more information on home hardening: Fire Safe Marin - Home Hardening
Clear Roadways Mean Faster Emergency Response
During emergencies, every second counts. Narrow, overgrown, or obstructed roads can delay first responders when time is critical. Additionally, residents may be trying to evacuate while emergency vehicles are entering — making roadway clearance even more important.
To help:
- Park vehicles fully off the roadway
- Trim vegetation on your property to allow 14 feet of vertical clearance
- Maintain 12 feet of horizontal clearance on driveways and roads
Come to Ember Stomp 2025
Ember Stomp is a wildfire festival that includes cutting-edge exhibits and simulations that explore climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and fire suppression innovations—offering attendees a deeper and more interactive experience.
Additional festivities:
- Live Burn Demonstration: Witness the dramatic difference that ember-resistant building materials and retrofitting techniques can make in slowing fire spread.
- Emergency Preparedness Resources: Connect with local fire agencies, emergency services, and wildfire experts to get tips, tools, and resources.
- Fire-Resilient Landscaping Exhibit: Learn from Marin Master Gardeners about creating defensible space and selecting fire-smart plants.
For additional information on Ember Stomp 2025 - Ember Stomp 2025 Flyer
Your participation and cooperation make a real difference in our ability to protect lives and property during a wildfire emergency. The Ross Valley Fire Department is here to serve your town, and we are proud to stand beside you in building a safer, more prepared community.
