Menlo Park Fire chief urges wildfire preparedness; promises community forum and notes upcoming fire-hazard map

Menlo Park Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen briefed the Atherton Town Council on Feb. 19 about wildfire preparedness and local outreach plans following recent large fires elsewhere in the state.

"We really are your local fire department," Lorenzen said, introducing himself to the council and audience. He said the department plans to work with the town, the police chief and community groups to hold a community forum in early to mid-March in partnership with ADAP and the town to discuss wildfire preparedness and home hardening.

Lorenzen also told the council that the state fire marshal's office is scheduled to release updated fire-hazard severity zone maps for the local response area imminently and that the new maps are likely to prompt questions from residents about insurance, defensible-space steps and retrofit options. "Just know that that's on our radar," Lorenzen said, "and we've been already working with members of your council, your city manager, and your police chief to try and arrange a community forum sometime in early to mid March..."

Lorenzen said the department will appear at council meetings on a roughly quarterly basis to stay connected with Atherton and to provide residents with information on wildfire risk and steps they can take to reduce risk.

Why it matters: Updated fire-hazard maps can change a property's official wildfire-risk designation, with possible implications for insurance, required defensible-space measures and home-hardening steps. The planned community forum aims to give residents practical information and an opportunity to ask questions.

No formal council action was taken on the presentation; staff and the fire district said they will coordinate public outreach.