Kensington is in a "Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone." Fire District Ordinance and State Law requires all home and property owners and renter to remove flammable vegetation around their residences. Protecting your home and community from the devastating effects of wildfire is the property owner's responsibility.
The Kensington Fire Protection District is requesting voluntary compliance and citizen involvement in the reduction of fire hazards for our community. Fire department personnel will check for compliance with these standards in May or June. For the past several years, voluntary compliance by the community has been outstanding and we look forward to your cooperation once again.

The following vegetation management standards must be met by all property owners in Kensington in order to maintain the community's fire safety. These standards are designed to reduce the threat of wildfire spreading between vegetation and structures, and from one property to another.

1. Maintain a 30-foot firebreak from structure or to property line. Only well-tended, properly irrigated ornamental vegetation is allowed. Remove all dead, diseased or otherwise flammable material.
2. Trim trees 10 feet from the ground and remove dead and dying branches, loose and papery bark and fallen branches which may "ladder" fire into the canopy.
3. Cut trees back 10 feet from chimney openings.
4. Install a spark arrester on chimney.
5. Keep roof and decks free of leaves, needles or other dead vegetation.
6. Build or re-roof your home with a minimum Class B fire resistive roofing materials.
7. For areas of your property extending 30 to 100 feet from your house, reduce height of flammable vegetation (dry grass and weeds to 6 inches or less; and brush to 18 inches or less from the ground).
8. Fire resistive plants and shrubs are recommended.
9. Place address numbers where they can be seen easily from the street to ensure quick emergency response.

Or call the fire district at (510) 215-4450 for more information.