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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | NOVEMBER 2025 31 Ad Hoc Fire Mitigation RISK AND READINESS: YOUR GUIDE TO SAFER LIVING As your new Ad Hoc Wildre Mitigation Committee develops a plan for our compliance with whatever regulations come, let's talk rst about the re mitigation mechanisms and procedures already in place here at Four Seasons. ese items should give you a measure of assurance that we have already addressed some of the most important issues. Information like this could also be of interest to your insurance companies. Defensible Area: As a condition to allow the development of this property, the builder was required to provide a fuel modication buer between the development and the wildland. Surrounding our entire property, we have a buer zone of 100-feet called a Fuel Reduction Zone. Also known as a fuel modication zone, it is maintained by our landscaping company, meaning that it is watered, thinned and debris removed. e cement walls that surround most of our property are not just for security, they are also good for re prevention. Perimeter Watering System: Within that Fuel Reduction Zone, we have installed a sprinkler system that is turned on when an active re is close to us and then around-the-clock it waters this perimeter, in rotating segments, until there is no longer a threat. Construction of Homes: e homes here are stucco, with concrete tile (rated as a Class A material) roofs and metal garage doors, built to modern building codes required for homes abutting wildland areas. Roofs with ember-resistant vents were required aer 2008. Homes built aer 2011 also have indoor sprinkler systems. ese construction features were designed to re-harden our houses. If your home is in a Red Zone, (Very High Fire Severity Zone) Cal.re.gov (Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map), Look for this symbol (at le) it indicates some actions you can take now to increase your re protection. TREE AND PLANT MAINTENANCE Watering: We spend over $325,000 on water a year. is is for our public areas, public buildings and the lawns of the 556 homes that our landscape contractor maintains. Studies have shown that a well-maintained ammable plant is more reproof than a poorly maintained ame-retardant plant. To further enhance re safety, along with our watering schedule, the Landscaping Committee is utilizing ame-retardant plants as part of our replanting eorts. Check that your watering system is in good repair and sucient for your plantings. Prioritize making any necessary repairs. Removal of Debris: You many have noticed that our landscape maintenance company cleans under our trees. e ground under plants, bushes and on our hillsides is also cleaned to remove leaves and debris, then the refuse is carried away. We are no longer using mulch. Remove dead plants and clear leaves from under trees, plants and on hillsides. Keep your rain gutters free of debris. Remove wood/combustible mulch, and wood planters; in essence, any ammable ornamentation. Tree Trimming: Not just for looks. Notice that the trees in our public areas do not have low hanging branches, and diseased/ dead branches are trimmed. Along with the other inspections required when selling your home, residents in Red Zones also need to have a re inspection [AB 38 (2021) – Fire Hazard Disclosure & Defensible Space Inspections]. Other residents are getting letters from their insurance companies requesting pictures. Should you get a letter that requires you to modify any plantings on your property, bring the letter to our ARC Committee and they will assist you. We will keep you informed once we are notied of any new re mitigation measures. Our goal is to increase our safety while remaining the beautiful "green" community we are. Yes, it can be done, and we will show you how. Look for this symbol (at right) for ways to keep your garden green. When you change your landscaping or replace plants, check to see if they are re-retardant and in an appropriate place. Our ARC Committee can help with this. Advise your gardener on correct pruning. ~ Cathy Goldsmith, cathyhg13@yahoo.com

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