The first Saturday in May is Wildfire Preparedness Day! This year, it lands on Saturday, May 2, 2026 and is a national campaign to encourage residents to take action to reduce home ignition risks during wildfire season.
Wildfire Fuels: Weeds and Invasive Grasses
As summer approaches and temperatures rise, wildfire risk increases as vegetation dries out and becomes more combustible. This is especially in Yolo County where wildfire fuels are typically invasive grasses. Much of Yolo County is covered in invasive annual grasses that create continuous, highly flammable fuel beds. Invasive grasses cure early in summer, meaning they are very dry during peak hot temperatures and especially dry during fall when windy days create extreme fire risk. Invasive grasses are light, flashy fuels; they burn easily and quickly moving fire across the landscape and potentially into shrub and tree canopies.
Defensible Space Basics
To mitigate this risk, landowners are encouraged to take action and create defensible space around their homes and properties. In Yolo County, properties living in the unincorporated areas of western Yolo County should prepare their defensible space ahead of peak wildfire season. Now is a great time to manage vegetation that could carry wildfire and impact your home.
Defensible space starts from the house and continues outward to a 100-foot radius. These 100 feet is divided into zones where specific actions should be implemented to stop or slow the spread of wildfire.
Zone 0 extends five feet from buildings, structures, and decks. This area should be completely clear of flammable materials like dead weeds, grass, and debris. Don’t forget to check your gutters and roof! For more information on Zone 0, check out CAL FIRE’s Zone 0 Checklist. For more information on Zones 1 and 2, check out CAL FIRE’s Ready for Wildfire Defensible Space page.
To help manage cut vegetation from defensible space work, the Yolo County Fire Safe Council coordinates the Neighborhood Chipper Program to provide free chipping services to properties in the high fire areas of Yolo County. To see if your property qualifies, visit CAL FIRE’s Fire Hazard Severity Zones – properties in the Capay Valley, western Esparto, west Winters, and some properties in Dunnigan and Zamora qualify.
Wildfire Preparedness: Go-Bags and Evacuation
Plan ahead for a quick evacuation by reviewing your evacuation routes and preparing a go-bag and identifying potential evacuation routes. An evacuation go-bag should include essentials for multiple days away from the home such as a 3-day water supply, non-perishable food items (granola bars, canned goods, etc.), personal hygiene items, a change of clothes, important documents (prescriptions, insurance, IDs, medical records, etc) and pet supplies. Every person in your home should have a go bag set in an easily accessible place. Learn more about safe and efficient evacuations, visit CAL FIRE’s Ready for Wildfire Go Evacuation Guide.
Responsible Recreation
Did you know that 95% of wildfires are sparked by human ignitions? Prevent ignitions by carefully monitoring campfires and burn piles, secure chains on vehicles and trailers, properly dispose of cigarettes, properly use safe and sane fireworks in appropriate areas, and keep vehicles out of tall grass (hot car components can spark fires in dry grass).
To learn more about wildfire prevention, visit CAL FIRE’s Prevent Wildfires webpage.
This summer let’s work together to prepare for and prevent wildfire!