Fire readiness is part of living well in Los Altos. With mature trees, open space nearby, and changing weather patterns, being prepared protects your family, your home, and your neighborhood. This guide explains who responds to your address, how to interpret risk designations, what to upgrade, and how to plan for alerts and evacuations so you can move forward with confidence.
Why fire readiness matters for Los Altos families
Preparedness is not about fear. It is about clarity and control. In Los Altos, local fire agencies coordinate daily medical calls, structure fires, and seasonal wildland conditions. Understanding how service coverage, hazard designations, and inspections work helps you make smart decisions about upgrades, insurance, and resale.
You will also see where simple routines make a big difference: keeping the first five feet around your home clear, hardening vents and eaves, and having a plan for outages and evacuations. With a few steps each season, you can reduce risk while keeping your property’s design and value front and center.
Who serves your home and how response works
Confirm your primary fire service provider
Los Altos receives fire and emergency medical service through a countywide fire district model. The City of Los Altos contracts with the Santa Clara County Fire Department for local response. The city lists two stations within Los Altos city limits: Almond Fire Station on Almond Avenue and Loyola Fire Station on Fremont Avenue. You can view the city’s service description and station references on the City of Los Altos page and station details on the district’s facilities page for context on proximity and coverage areas.
- City service overview and station references: City of Los Altos
- District station locations: SCCFD Facilities
To verify jurisdiction for properties near Los Altos Hills or unincorporated borders, check the county’s parcel and hazard viewers and then confirm with Santa Clara County Fire Prevention. Neighboring Los Altos Hills has its own fire district but uses Santa Clara County Fire for staffing and operations, so you will still see coordinated resources on larger calls. Learn more here: Los Altos Hills County Fire District.
For scale and resources context, the district publishes an overview of staffing, stations, and apparatus. Keep in mind these are systemwide figures used for planning, not response-time guarantees for a specific address. See: SCCFD Overview.
Wildland support and mutual aid basics
During larger incidents, local engines are backed by pre-planned mutual aid from neighboring departments and state resources. That means you may see additional engines, strike teams, and overhead arrive as conditions evolve. Mutual aid is standard practice in California and helps ensure coverage continues across the region even when one event grows.
EMS and 911 dispatch flow
When you call 911, dispatch assigns the closest appropriate units. In most cases, a fire engine responds with trained medical personnel, and an ambulance is dispatched as needed. On scene, crews stabilize patients, secure hazards, and may evaluate the property for safety concerns. If you have a gate or alarm, ensure codes are current with your monitoring provider and easily accessible to responding crews.
Understand risk zones and insurance impacts
Hazard designations and WUI mapping
California classifies wildfire hazard at the parcel level using Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps. Properties can be designated Moderate, High, or Very High based on vegetation, slope, and other factors. The State updated Local Responsibility Area maps during 2024–2025, and jurisdictions are adopting them now. You can review official information about the maps on CAL FIRE’s site and view county adoption materials here:
- State mapping overview: CAL FIRE FHSZ
- County viewer and adoption process: Santa Clara County Planning
These designations inform defensible-space obligations, permitting, and some real estate disclosures. If your home is in a High or Very High zone, it is wise to document mitigation work and keep records handy for future transactions.
How carriers view fire risk and pricing
Insurers use their own risk models that may differ from state designations. Recent reporting notes that updated insurer models are identifying more properties as higher risk across the Bay Area. That can influence pricing and availability. While you cannot control carrier models, you can influence how your property is viewed by maintaining clear defensible space, upgrading ember-prone features, and showing documented mitigation. See regional context: Insurance and risk mapping overview.
Disclosures and buyer due diligence
If a property is in a High or Very High hazard zone, California’s AB 38 framework may require a defensible-space inspection or documentation of compliance at sale. Local fire agencies manage scheduling and any fees. If the inspection cannot be completed before closing, buyer and seller can agree in writing on a timeframe for the buyer to complete compliance after closing. For basics on the process, see: AB 38 Defensible Space.
Buyers should review any available defensible-space reports, permits for vegetation work, and maintenance records. Sellers should keep receipts, photos, and contractor documentation for upgrades such as vent screens, roof replacements, and deck work.
Harden your home and landscape
Exterior upgrades that reduce ignition
Prioritize the details embers target first. Focus on improvements that blend safety with your home’s architecture:
- Roof system: maintain a Class A roof with clean gutters and covered valleys. Replace aging wood shingles when planning larger renovations.
- Vents and eaves: install ember- and flame-resistant vents and box in open eaves where feasible. Fine mesh screens reduce ember entry.
- Siding and trim: repair gaps, caulk joints, and consider noncombustible or ignition-resistant materials when replacing sections.
- Windows and doors: dual-pane tempered glass and tight weatherstripping improve resistance and comfort.
- Decks and attachments: remove debris below and between boards, use ignition-resistant materials when rebuilding, and create separation from stored items.
For defensible-space concepts and the 0 to 5 foot “ember-resistant” zone that has been emphasized in recent rulemaking, review the Board of Forestry guidance: Defensible Space Zones.
Defensible space and maintenance routines
Think in layers around the house and maintain them seasonally. Keep the first few feet clean and noncombustible, trim back vegetation from roofs and walls, and thin or limb trees to reduce ladder fuels. Schedule a spring and late-summer pass for pruning, gutter clearing, and debris removal. If you need help, ask your local fire agency about preparedness inspections and county chipping programs. Santa Clara County Fire provides homeowner education and preparedness resources you can request or review here: SCCFD Wildfire Preparedness.
Required devices and inspection touchpoints
Confirm that smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers are current and properly placed. Test alarms twice a year. If your property falls in a High or Very High zone and you plan to sell, contact the fire department early to understand the local process for AB 38 defensible-space inspections. Local procedures, fees, and timelines vary by agency; start with the district’s prevention and request pages for the latest steps: SCCFD Programs and Requests.
Plan for alerts, evacuation, and outages
Local alert systems and evacuation tools
Enroll in the county’s official alert system so you receive time-sensitive warnings, evacuation information, and shelter updates. You can sign up at the county’s portal described here: AlertSCC.
Know your neighborhood routes. The City of Los Altos publishes evacuation-route guidance and recommends identifying more than one way out in case roads are blocked. Review the city’s route overview: Los Altos Evacuation Routes.
Household plan, go-bags, and communication
Keep planning simple and repeatable:
- Assign roles: who grabs go-bags, who secures pets, who checks neighbors.
- Reunification: choose a primary and backup meeting place outside the neighborhood.
- Go-bags: medications, chargers, copies of IDs and insurance, spare glasses, basic first aid, pet supplies, and a few days of clothing.
- Contacts: keep a printed list of emergency numbers and out-of-area contacts.
- Practice: run a 10-minute drill so everyone knows the routine.
For families with animals, explore county resources and planning checklists: Santa Clara County Animal Services.
Power shutoffs and backup readiness
During extreme fire weather, utilities may proactively shut off power to reduce ignition risk. Plan for refrigeration, medical devices, garage access, and communications. Register for notifications and review medical baseline programs if someone in your home relies on powered medical equipment. Learn more about PSPS planning here: PG&E PSPS.
When to bring in experts
Risk assessors and mitigation contractors
A qualified assessor can walk your property and produce a prioritized plan with photos. Ask for a written scope, timeline, and maintenance schedule. Consider before-and-after documentation to support insurance reviews and future buyer questions.
Insurance advisors and coverage reviews
Schedule an annual check-in with your insurance advisor, especially after material upgrades. Share photos and receipts for roof work, vent upgrades, defensible-space maintenance, and any new backup power systems. If you encounter underwriting questions, be ready to show official hazard maps, mitigation records, and local inspection reports where applicable. For mapping context, use the official state overview and county adoption materials: CAL FIRE FHSZ and County FHSZ Adoption.
Your real estate advisor’s role in readiness and resale
A local agent helps you weigh risk in context of neighborhood desirability, privacy, and long-term value. Before listing, your advisor can coordinate pre-sale tune-ups, organize inspection records, and position upgrades to reinforce buyer confidence. For buyers, your advisor can confirm jurisdiction, outline AB 38 steps, and connect you with the right vendors at the right time.
For general program information, education, and preparedness support from the local fire agency, start here: SCCFD Wildfire Resources.
Next steps for a safer Los Altos home
- Verify service coverage and closest stations using city and district resources. Start with the city’s service page and SCCFD facility list: Los Altos Fire & Medical and SCCFD Facilities.
- Check your parcel’s hazard designation using official sources: CAL FIRE FHSZ and County FHSZ Viewer.
- Prioritize exterior hardening and a clean 0 to 5 foot zone; review guidance here: Defensible Space Zones.
- Enroll in emergency alerts and map your evacuation options: AlertSCC and Los Altos Routes.
- If you plan to sell in a High or Very High zone, contact the fire department early about AB 38: Defensible Space at Sale.
When you are ready for tailored guidance on how fire readiness intersects with value, timing, and market strategy, request a discreet consultation with Stephanie Von Thaden. From jurisdiction checks to pre-list mitigation, Stephanie brings a calm, comprehensive approach to help you move forward with confidence.
FAQs
Who provides fire and emergency service for my Los Altos address?
- The City of Los Altos contracts with Santa Clara County Fire Department. Confirm coverage and nearby stations using the city’s page and district facilities list: Los Altos Fire & Medical and SCCFD Facilities.
How do I check if my home is in a High or Very High hazard zone?
- Review the official mapping resources: CAL FIRE FHSZ and the county’s adoption viewer: County FHSZ Viewer.
What is AB 38 and when does it apply to a sale?
- If a property is in a High or Very High zone, sellers must provide a defensible-space inspection report or compliance documentation at sale, or agree with the buyer on a post-closing compliance timeline. Learn more: AB 38 Defensible Space.
Can I schedule a defensible-space inspection before selling?
- Yes. Contact the local fire department’s prevention office to request an inspection and understand any fees or timelines. Santa Clara County Fire’s request page is a good starting point: SCCFD Requests.
What local alerts should I sign up for?
- Register for the county’s official system to receive evacuation and emergency notices: AlertSCC. Also review Los Altos Evacuation Routes.
How do planned power shutoffs affect Los Altos?
- Utilities may shut off power during extreme fire weather to reduce ignition risk. Prepare for refrigeration, medical devices, and communications. See: PG&E PSPS.
Where can I find official guidance on defensible-space zones?
- The Board of Forestry outlines the Zone 0, 1, and 2 framework and the emphasis on the ember-resistant 0 to 5 foot zone: Defensible Space Zones.
