Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFD Wildfire Prevention Efforts in San Rafael from 2019-2025____________________________________________________________________________________ FOR CITY CLERK ONLY Council Meeting: October 6, 2025 Disposition: Accepted report and proposed revision Agenda Item No: 7.b Meeting Date: October 6, 2025 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Department: Fire Department Prepared by: Kate Anderson, Wildfire Mitigation Program Manager City Manager Approval: ______________ TOPIC: WILDFIRE PREVENTION EFFORTS IN SAN RAFAEL FROM 2019-2025 SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL REPORT ON THE 38-POINT WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION ACTION PLAN RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council accept the informational report on the Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan and proposed revision. BACKGROUND: In 2019, the City of San Rafael adopted the 38-Point Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan (“38- Point Plan”) to guide policies, programs, and community investments aimed at reducing wildfire risk to the City of San Rafael. The plan was developed after a yearlong public input process with numerous meetings with the City Council, and the Wildfire Advisory Committee (comprised of 15 community members and former Mayor Phillips and Councilmember Bushey). The 38-Point Plan was designed as a living framework that outlined short-, medium-, and long-term actions, ranging from defensible space inspections and vegetation management to public education, emergency preparedness, and infrastructure hardening. The 38-Point Plan has served as a foundational roadmap, guiding San Rafael’s efforts on countywide initiatives under the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA), which is funded by Measure C. Since adoption, the City has made significant progress implementing many of the strategies, and staff have provided periodic updates to the City Council in previous years. Highlights include: •Establishment of the San Rafael Wildfire Mitigation Team with dedicated staff and funding source through Measure C, a 10-year wildfire prevention parcel tax. •Expanded defensible space and home hardening inspections, with 17,623 out of the City’s 17,847 total properties inspected and 28,918 total inspections to date. Staff have inspected 100% of parcels zoned as single-family residential and are working to engage all residents in multi-family dwellings by 2026. •Updates to San Rafael Municipal Code (SRMC) Chapter 4.12 expand vegetation management standards citywide. Each zone, or distance from a structure, has a unique set of requirements in alignment with fire science and best practices. SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2 •Development of resources available to support residents in mitigating wildfire hazards and preparing for wildfires. This includes grants, direct assistance, and education. Grants and direct assistance programs are focused on the most critical risk reduction work, including creating a zone free of vegetation around homes (zone zero) and removing large amounts of vegetation. •Evaluation of San Rafael’s evacuation routes and implementation of multiple programs to solve evacuation challenges. This includes the completion and maintenance of roadside vegetation clearance, as well as the clarification of safe parking areas. •Completion and maintenance of several key fuel reduction and shaded fuel break projects in high- risk areas. These areas have included San Rafael’s fire road network to improve emergency responder access and slow fire spread before it reaches the community, as well as the defensible space zone in open space adjacent to residential development. •Launch of community engagement and education initiatives, including Firewise neighborhood support and multilingual outreach. Community engagement and input were a key piece of developing the 38-Point Plan and continue to be a cornerstone of this program’s success. Staff remain committed to engaging with and informing the public of efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Since 2019, staff have observed an increased awareness and deepening understanding on a community level about the risk of wildfire in our community, which may be attributed to the wildfire team’s year-round presence and engagement in the community. This has been accomplished through community meetings, virtual and in-person trainings, direct mail campaigns, door-to-door defensible space evaluations, signage, and coordination with community and neighborhood leaders. Additionally, staff provide updates to the City website and social media channels. ANALYSIS: Since 2020, with the passage of Measure C and the establishment of the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA), the City has made significant progress in most areas of the 38-Point Plan, largely driven by increased tax revenue. The 38-Point Plan has served as a guide for developing an annual MWPA work plan that includes projects and programs supporting wildfire preparedness and adaptation at the community level, tailored to the needs of San Rafael, and enhancing the safety of our neighboring communities. Projects have included shaded fuel breaks, defensible space, and fire road vegetation management, evacuation route vegetation clearance, and safe parking clarifications, including the parking box program, as well as numerous ongoing programs that support public education and outreach, a citywide defensible space program, grants and other financial assistance options for residents, and alerts and notification sign-ups and systems. Since October of 2024, $200,000 of reimbursement grants have been distributed to 102 San Rafael property owners. A summary of the status and actions relating to each item in the 38- Point Plan is provided in Attachment 1. The 38-Point Plan has served as a valuable starting point for making significant impacts on our community’s safety. However, as the wildfire risk landscape continues to evolve and new policies are being developed at the state level, it is timely to revisit the structure and content of the 38-Point Plan. Several factors prompt the potential need for an update, including changes in the risk environment, new and upcoming regulatory guidance, and recognition of progress made on many key items. Evaluation of current and future priorities is crucial as the City navigates a changing risk environment characterized by drought cycles, increased fire weather, longer fire seasons, and shorter but more intense winters. This also includes incorporating new scientific findings related to fire science, home hardening and building construction, climate change, and social impacts of wildfire. The State is also changing and developing policies that include Zone Zero regulations and the introduction of the California SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3 Wildland-Urban Interface Code, which provides opportunities for San Rafael to apply and enforce codes in a manner that supports the City’s goals and objectives. Over 85% of the 38 initiatives are either completed (4 items) or transitioned to an ongoing maintenance cycle (8 items), or are ongoing supported programs (21 items). Two initiatives are in progress and will be completed by the end of the fiscal year. Three initiatives are pending or have not yet been completed. Item 12, calling for a review of the WUI map, may be unnecessary as codes are applied more universally. Item 17, calling for Citywide adoption of 7A may be resolved in the upcoming adoption of the new California Wildland Urban Interface code. Item 37, which would require two gates for all fences, has not been started pending further research and impact analysis. An update to the 38-Point Plan will enable staff to close out completed items, consolidate those achieved through the same project or program, and introduce new and emerging priorities. The 38-Point Plan was also drafted and approved before the formation of the MWPA and could benefit from closer alignment with Measure C’s five goals and associated metrics. To ensure the 38-Point Plan remains a current, value-added guiding document, staff are in the process of evaluating and updating the 38-Point Plan. In addition, the City Council’s 3-Year Strategic Plan includes a goal and objective (Goal C – Objective C.2.2 – Wildfire Action Plan Implementation; “Continue implementing the Wildfire Action Plan and evaluate the need for revisions including focusing on zone zero (0-5 feet) from homes and structures.” This process will include community engagement and exploration of numerous new programs or projects that could be added, as well as any items that should be removed. The 38-Point Plan will remain a standalone document, with an updated format and action items that illustrate the current work being performed, such as continuing programs, maintenance projects, new projects, policy, and advocacy work, etc. The update to the 38-Point Plan will provide an opportunity to reorganize the plan’s content to reflect and incorporate county-wide wildfire mitigation goals, while maintaining and honoring the original vision of the 38-Point Plan and providing a useful structure to support the implementation of existing and new action items. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Community engagement was not completed before this 38-Point Plan status update. However, staff will conduct community outreach and engagement throughout the process of updating the plan. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this informational report. OPTIONS: Staff suggest the following options to be considered on this matter: 1.Accept the report. 2. Provide an alternative direction. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff recommends that the City Council accept the informational report on the 38-Point Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan. ATTACHMENTS: 1.38-Point Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan Progress Update Page 1 of 4 Attachment 1 - Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan Progress Update Status Description Summary • Complete: The action has been completed as described. • In Progress: The action is actively underway. • Maintenance Stage: The action has been completed; however, continuing work is needed to preserve the result. • Not Started: This action has not been started because it was either deemed unnecessary or additional analysis is needed. • Ongoing: There is a continuing need for this action; there is no fixed completion date. • Pending: The action is still planned, but it relies on another action or event to proceed. # Action Summary Status  Next Steps/ Notes 1 Eliminate highly flammable vegetation  Maintenance Stage Ordinance No. 1988 was adopted in 2021 to prohibit and require the removal of Juniper, Bamboo, Acacia, and Italian Cypress. Enforcement of outstanding issues and continued support for residents to facilitate hazard mitigation.  2 Establish citywide standards  Complete Citywide vegetation standards were updated in 2021. Grants, education, and enforcement are ongoing to achieve compliance. 3 Reduce ember ignition in the immediate zone  Ongoing Ordinance No. 1988 was adopted in 2021, which includes specific standards for the immediate zone. Analyze the potential impacts of changes to California law regarding defensible space zones. Provide additional grant support for Zone Zero mitigation. Ongoing need for enforcement. 4 Expand Goat Grazing  Maintenance Stage Multi-year contract in place to cover over 150 acres. 5 Establish more fuel interruption zones Ongoing  All San Rafael lands have been evaluated, and strategic areas are being added to the MWPA work plan as budget permits. Staff are coordinating with high-risk landowners on additional project sites, with long-term maintenance plans. 6 Improve Public Education  Ongoing  Expanded outreach events and engagement activities to reach different populations, including increased Spanish language materials and events. Continued coordination with Fire Safe Marin and neighborhood or community leaders. Defensible space evaluations offer residents one-on- one educational opportunities. 7 Establish more Firewise communities Ongoing  The City hosted a meeting for new leaders in March 2025, providing ongoing support for both new and established communities.  Page 2 of 4 # Action Summary Status  Next Steps/ Notes 8 Develop an abatement process for private unimproved parcels  Ongoing  Staff are working with the City Attorney’s Office to determine a fair and sustainable abatement process. Resident resources, such as grants and direct assistance, have generally avoided the need for significant forced abatement. The goal remains to avoid the need for abatement. 9 Effective debris removal  Ongoing           Debris Management is handled on a site-specific basis. Further research into biomass options is ongoing. 10 Engage volunteers in fire prevention  Ongoing Re-engaged volunteers in 2025 after new staff were onboarded. Volunteer training is referenced in Public Resources Code (PRC) 4291.6. 11 Volunteer broom pulls  Ongoing  Staff support dozens of events each year with broom pullers, debris management, safety training, site identification, and outreach. 12 Review and update the wildland urban interface (WUI) map  Pending Further analysis to be conducted during WUI code update.  13 Consider the Adoption of PRC 4290 and 4291  Complete The City considered becoming a Fire Risk Reduction Community (PRC 4290.1) and completing the map of limited egress streets (PRC 4290.5). The City’s ordinance is more restrictive than what is required under PRC 4291; therefore, this action was deemed unnecessary. 14 Develop new resources  Ongoing This action was largely addressed by the passage of Measure C, which supports wildfire prevention efforts. However, the City will continue to seek grants and cost recovery for the abatement of private property, and to pursue Measure A wildfire funds through the partnership with the Marin County Open Space District.  15 Seize ignition sources and remove encampments in open space Ongoing  The City adopted Chapter 19.50 of the San Rafael Municipal Code to address camping on public property. 16 Reduce the likelihood of ignition in undeveloped land  Ongoing  Open Space signs have been updated. The San Rafael Municipal Code was updated in 2022 through Ordinance No. 2008. The Red Flag warning processes are outlined. Ongoing education and enforcement are needed. 17 Uniform application of Chapter 7A building materials  Pending Chapter 7A of the California Building Code, which addresses building materials and construction for wildfire exposure, is being replaced with Chapter 5 in the new draft California Wildland Urban Interface Code (CWUIC). This will be addressed through the Code update and adoption process. Page 3 of 4 # Action Summary Status  Next Steps/ Notes 18 Eliminate Wood Shake Roofs  Ongoing  In 2022, the Building Code was amended to require the replacement of wood shake roofs by May of 2027. Grants are available to support property owners with the costs of replacing their shake roofs.  19 Vegetation mapping and risk analysis  Ongoing  The Marin County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is scheduled for an update in 2026, which will include an updated analysis. 20 Analysis of fire roads and fuel breaks  In Progress The fire road inventory project is contracted for completion in 2025. Staff are connecting the analysis with the trails plan. 21 Increase hardened homes  Ongoing- expanding  This effort is supported through ongoing education programs, grants, and property inspections. 22 Vegetation Management Plans and Resilient Landscape Templates  Ongoing  The Vegetation Management Plans process is streamlined. Resilient Landscape Templates have not been developed in their original concept, as other guidance meets similar needs. 23 Increase inspections  Maintenance Stage The entire City was inspected. Staff are entering a three-year return cycle process with options for resident-scheduled visits and continued enforcement inspections. 24 Education via signs  In progress New Open Space signs are installed, and the Public Safety Center sign installation is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025. Red Flag Signs are in progress. 25 Reduce risk in short-term rentals  Maintenance Stage Short-term rentals must display fire safety and evacuation information for all guests. Owners must also complete and submit annual vegetation self- inspection checklists. 26 Hire additional staff  Complete Fixed-term roles have transitioned to regular career positions. Wildfire Mitigation Specialists and Emergency Management Coordinators are in place. 27 Police Ranger Staffing  Ongoing  The San Rafael Police Department is working to hire adequate Ranger staff. 28 Reduce Fuels along roadways  Maintenance Stage Primary routes are complete and in ongoing maintenance. 29 Parking Box Program  Ongoing The City plans to complete installation in all hillside areas by the end of 2025. 30 Improve Alerting   Ongoing  Purchased portable long-range acoustic devices (LRADs). The County Alert system has been upgraded, and a draft MOA is in place. Page 4 of 4 # Action Summary Status  Next Steps/ Notes 31 Increase early warning and detection  Complete Cameras were installed on San Rafael Hill and San Pedro Hill. 32 Evacuation Plans and Drills  Ongoing  Publish Fireclear Maps. Continue to host neighborhood drills and safety fairs.  33 Assure Safe and resilient infrastructure  Maintenance Stage Vegetation is maintained along fire roads, cell phone towers, fire stations, and water towers. 34 Assure staff can send and receive alerts  Maintenance Stage The City maintains a third-party vendor and has a redundant MOU with the County and its Duty officer. Training is ongoing to ensure an adequate number of people are trained. 35 Assure staff can communicate  Maintenance Stage Staff work to ensure communication redundancies and offer training and drills to enhance preparedness. 36 Garage Door Battery Back- Up  Ongoing  Power failures, impacting the functionality of automatic garage doors, can make evacuation by car impossible during an emergency. Residents are offered grants and education to address this concern. 37 Dual gate requirement to prevent entrapment  Not started  The action recommends updating the Building Code to require new and replacement fences to have two gates. Further analysis is required to determine the benefit and feasibility of this program. 38 Agency Coordination and Collaboration  Ongoing Staff meet regularly with partners and seek ways to develop collaborative projects and share best practices.