The City of San Francisco held a government meeting on July 4, 2025, focusing on fire incident reporting and the impact of recent storms on fire department operations. The meeting began with a discussion on the definition and categorization of outside fires, which include various incidents such as rubbish fires, small grass fires, and car fires. Chief Coughlin noted a significant increase in small outside fires over the past decade, with a six-fold rise in reports.

The conversation then shifted to a detailed analysis of fire incidents from February 2024, highlighting areas in San Francisco that have experienced repeated fire occurrences. The fire department emphasized the importance of public reporting, urging residents to call 911 if they observe a threatening fire.

Further discussions addressed the impact of severe weather conditions, particularly heavy storms that resulted in power outages and flooding. Chief Lathrop confirmed that while the storms posed challenges, they did not significantly burden the fire department's resources. The department worked cooperatively with PG&E to manage incidents related to electrical fires and downed wires.

Commissioner Collins raised concerns about tracking damage to fire department real estate from storms. Chief Lathrop assured that the department conducts surveys after major storms to assess damage and has the capability to quantify the impact on their infrastructure.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue monitoring fire incidents and improving reporting mechanisms, as well as a focus on maintaining the integrity of the fire department's facilities in the face of environmental challenges.