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Portola Valley wildfire committee urges neighborhood ‘Firewise’ push as insurance pressures grow
Summary
The town’s Wildfire Preparedness Committee told the council its top priority is achieving broad Firewise neighborhood participation after an insurance-tracking survey found many nonrenewals and large premium increases; the committee seeks funding and help recruiting block leaders and outreach.
MJ Craig, chair of Portola Valley’s Wildfire Preparedness Committee, told the Town Council that the committee’s top priority for 2025 is expanding neighborhood-level Firewise participation to reduce wildfire risk and help relieve homeowners’ insurance pressures.
The committee conducted an insurance-tracking inquiry covering 2020–2025 that drew 117 responses. Craig said the small sample is not statistically representative but raised alarm: 54 respondents reported cancellations or nonrenewals and roughly 30% reported being placed on the FAIR Plan. Respondents reported premium increases ranging from about 10% to as much as 370%.
“We need Firewise,” Craig told the council, arguing mitigation at a community scale—led by block leaders and neighbor-to-neighbor outreach—would be more likely to lower risk than individuals working alone. The committee cited industry pilots that are testing whether roughly 80% neighborhood mitigation might change insurer behavior but stressed those studies are ongoing.
Committee members described existing outreach: 28 Firewise tips published over the past year; an email list that has grown to about 548 subscribers; neighborhood-organized mitigation reporting that already documents thousands of dollars and hours of work; and two newly certified CalFire defensible‑space assessors on the committee who can help neighbors evaluate properties. The committee said roughly half of Portola Valley’s roughly 1,800 homes (about 900) are currently organized in Firewise groups across seven communities and that a volunteer GIS student has offered to update maps showing participation.
Councilors and members of the public pressed the committee for measurable metrics and clearer data. Craig and other members said the committee plans a one‑page starter kit for block leaders, a rollout plan to recruit additional leaders, and a modest outreach budget—Craig suggested a $5,000 “SWAG” to support in‑person events and postcard outreach if passive methods underperform.
Council members also asked staff and the committee to pursue a town-hosted map and a vendor database (using PV Forum) to make it easier for residents to see whether their neighborhood is Firewise and to find mitigation services. Staff and committee members agreed to pursue those steps and to return with further details.
The council did not take formal action on policy or funding at this meeting; members thanked the committee and asked staff to coordinate follow‑up on mapping, the vendor list, and potential modest outreach support.
