THE CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION ENCOURAGES WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS AND HONORS FIREFIGHTERS DURING MAY WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS MONTH
Californians Encouraged to Prepare for Wildfires & Natural Disasters at FirefightersOnYourSide.org
SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- May is Wildfire Preparedness Month, and the California Fire Foundation (www.cafirefoundation.org)—a leading nonprofit supporting active and fallen firefighters, their families, and the communities they protect—is calling on all Californians to prepare for fire season and honor those who risk their lives on the front lines.
California continues to face increasingly severe wildfire seasons. As of April 2025, over 1,000 wildfires have already scorched more than 61,000 acres statewide. With climate change and prolonged drought, year-round preparedness is more important than ever. More than 25% of Californians live in high-risk wildfire areas, according to Cal OES.
To help residents and businesses, the Foundation has relaunched its Firefighters On Your Side campaign, offering multilingual, community-based resources to help people:
- Create defensible space around their homes
- Develop a 5-minute evacuation plan
- Pre-pack emergency go-bags
- Download a complete wildfire preparedness checklist
"Wildfire season used to run from July through October—now it's every month of the year," said Brian K. Rice, Chair of the California Fire Foundation and President of California Professional Firefighters. "Preparedness saves lives and property. It's how we protect our families—and honor the sacrifice of those protecting us."
HOW TO TAKE ACTION
Prepare for wildfire season and honor California's fire service heroes:
- Visit FirefightersOnYourSide.org for tools and tips in multiple languages
- Create defensible space and harden your home
- Build a 5-minute evacuation plan
- Pre-pack your emergency go-bag
- Print and follow the wildfire preparedness checklist
- Donate $125 to receive a Memorial Expansion Challenge Coin and support fallen firefighters
- Share special memories of firefighters through the Oral History Project
WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS TIPS
Create Defensible Space Zones:
- Zone 0 (0–5 ft): Keep area clear of flammable items; use gravel or concrete.
- Zone 1 (5–30 ft): Trim trees, clear dry brush, and space out plants.
- Zone 2 (30–100 ft): Thin vegetation, remove dead plants, and maintain clear separation between trees.
Home Hardening Best Practices:
- Use fire-resistant roofing materials and keep roofs/gutters clear of debris
- Install ember-resistant vents and enclose eaves
- Use non-combustible materials for homes and seal all ember entry points
- Replace fire-prone landscape with fire-resistant materials like gravel
- Avoid wood fences directly connecting to your home
- Keep access routes open for emergency vehicles
HONOR OUR HEROES
The Foundation is also using Wildfire Preparedness Month to raise funds for the expansion of the California Firefighters Memorial Wall in Capitol Park, Sacramento. With more than 1,500 names already engraved, the wall has reached capacity—prompting a necessary expansion to continue honoring fallen heroes.
To support this project, the Foundation is offering a limited-edition Memorial Expansion Challenge Coin to donors who give $125 or more. These individually numbered collector coins (1–10,000) can be planted at the Memorial site in Sacramento or kept as a personal keepsake to honor a current or fallen firefighter.
Additionally, the Foundation's Oral History Project invites Californians to share stories and memories of firefighters by leaving a voicemail at (916) 883-3580.
Follow the California Fire Foundation on social media (@CAFireFound on Facebook, Instagram, and X) and use hashtags #WildfirePreparednessWeek #ReadyForWildfire #CAFireFoundation to share your preparedness tips and tributes.
ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION
Founded in 1987 by California Professional Firefighters, the California Fire Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing emotional and financial support to fallen firefighters' families, active fire personnel, and the communities they serve. Key programs include:
- Survivor and victim assistance
- Community preparedness and education
- Public memorial and remembrance projects
ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL WALL
Located in Capitol Park, Sacramento, the California Firefighters Memorial Wall honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the state. Opened in 2002, the wall currently features over 1,500 names—with more added each year. The Memorial Expansion Project ensures future generations of fallen firefighters are remembered with dignity and respect.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Destin Judy – (859) 913-6983 | [email protected]
Lauren Kay – (310) 409-8754 | [email protected]
DeeDee Garcia, California Fire Foundation – (916) 906-3412 | [email protected]
Sources:
SOURCE California Fire Foundation
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