It’s been over three decades since a massive fire ripped through the Oakland hills, killing 25 people and destroying nearly 3,500 homes. The 1991 disaster remains fresh on the minds of many long-time residents. Some local experts believe that conditions in the area could be ripe for a similar catastrophe.

The 1991 fire led to improved local fire prevention policies. These include fireproof materials on homes and improved readiness. However there remain several dangerous issues.

The area is often prone to droughts. As a result, highly flammable eucalyptus trees that largely fueled the 1991 blaze become very combustible.



Clean Up


It’s also important to keep the grass mowed and shrubs pruned. If there is any debris on the property, it should also be removed. Fast Haul provides East Bay residents a variety of yard clean-up services to help accomplish these goals.

Create Defensible Space



Landscaping and Proper Selection of Plants



Create Breaks

When you create your fire safe home landscape, you should also create breaks with hardscape materials. This includes using stone walls and pathways. These hardscapes act as fuel breaks to slow down, stop, or change the direction of a fire.

Emergency Readiness

No one wants to think about a fire occurring at their home. However, history shows that this sort of tragedy can happen in the blink of an eye.

Make sure you’re ready with some emergency preparedness steps in advance. Have water hoses and fire sprinklers ready, easy to access and have your personal exit plan in place.

Also, contact your local fire department. Ask them if there is anything else that you can do to be prepared.

Fire prevention requires proper planning and the right landscaping around your home. However, simple steps ensure that your and family maximize your protection against fire danger.