Welcome to
Redtail Ridge Firewise Community
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Join us on May 16th --10am-noon-- Redtail Mixer at the Trailhead!
Adapting to life in the Wildland Urban Interface
Redtail Ridge Firewise Community includes 131 households in the unincorporated town of Kensington, California.
Our Community covers approximately one-third of Kensington's Wildland Urban Interface, with East Bay Regional Park along its eastern edge. Living in a designated "Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone," it's critical that we take action to reduce our wildfire risk, as individuals and as a community.
Volunteers formed Redtail Ridge to encourage and support this effort. We look forward to providing access to experts, mitigation resources, and vetted information on wildfire readiness.
Download these documents for your insurance company. Most offer a small discount for being in a recognized Firewise Community.
Home ignition zone diagram from FirewiseUSA. Image copyright National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Being Firewise
Being Firewise
If you live within our boundaries, you're already Firewise! You're welcome to attend our events, volunteer for projects, and get support for your mitigation efforts. The decision on how and when to mitigate your property is up to you.
Being Firewise does require a shift in thinking for most of us, so if you're unfamiliar with its principles and recommendations, here are some links to get you started.
Wildfire Guide from IBHS -- a comprehensive guide, from the organization that researches fire behavior and shapes Firewise recommendations.
Preparing your home for wildfire -- NFPA's Firewise recommendations for your home ignition zone.
An early wildfire 'post-mortem' by Jack Cohen, the fire scientist who shifted the industry focus from preventing wildfires to preventing home ignition. An older but still relevant video.
Events & Opportunities
Our May Mixer is Back!
Our May Mixer is Back!
May 16th, 10-noon
Our 2nd annual gathering of Firewise neighbors at Ye Ol' School Trailhead
Coffee, sodas, and finger food will be provided. If you wish, bring snacks to share and folding chairs.
Meet your Firewise neighbors from Grizzly Peak, Lake, Kenyon, Beloit, and Los Altos.
Everyone is welcome!
Swap firescaping and home-hardening ideas.
Check back here for a raindate if it's wet!
2026 Hazardous Vegetation Removal Grant
2026 Hazardous Vegetation Removal Grant
Last year's program removed tons of hazardous plants from our neighborhoods. This year, up to 2k is fully funded, with larger projects up to $7,500 funded with a 25% cost share.
See grant details & apply on KCSD website.
Qualifying plant types include juniper, bamboo, and other fire-prone plants on KCSD'S plant list. These plants burn hot, radiate extreme heat, and can set fire to your structures, threaten your evacuation path, and make narrow streets impassable, blocking downhill evacuation routes.
Firefighters call junipers "gasoline plants" because they ignite easily and burn with an intensity too hot to approach. They cause more damage and injury than other plants.
Two of the eligible vegetation types are juniper and bamboo. Also, yew, coyote bush, and Italian cypress. Check out both fire-prone and fire-safe plant lists:
Wind-driven embers are a real threat to our homes. Illustration: courtesy KEEP.
This year, KCSD is introducing a new Kensington Ember Exclusion Program (KEEP) free mesh grant. Upgrade your vents, and increase your home's protection by using 1/8" or 1/16" stainless steel mesh that more effectively stops embers from entering your structure.
Installation cost not covered. Need to find a contractor? See the neighbor-recommended contractors on the Kensington Firewise website.
Adding vents can be a do-it-yourself project.
Check out this how-to video on installing pre-framed vents -- similar to the vents you receive through the grant.
Past Events & Projects
5 Easy Actions Workshop
5 Easy Actions Workshop
Neighbors gathered to meet with Diablo Fire Safe Council's Sheryl Drinkwater and our own Fire Marshal, Battalion Chief Chase Beckman. They discussed upcoming Zone 0 regulations, the latest home hardening techniques and materials, and best practices for shaping a defensible space.
There was time for questions and discussion, and neighbors shared ideas and challenges with wildfire mitigation on their properties.
If you missed this in-person event, you can watch an online presentation Sheryl gave for the Clayton Library.
Check out Diablo Firesafe Council's Resources list and Fences sheet, with materials and recommendations from the presentation.
Spring & Fall Grant: Redtail Hazards Removed!
Spring & Fall Grant: Redtail Hazards Removed!
Neighbors had *tons* of vegetation hauled away in round one of the Hazard Grant Program. More trees and hedges are still being removed across Kensington.
The program awarded more than $80k across our town
Many of these fire-prone plants are evergreen, low-maintenance, and drought-tolerant, making them popular choices in the 50s and 60s when most of our homes were built. Unfortunately, you do NOT want them growing close to your structures, parking spots, or along roadways. They put lives at risk and could block your only exit during an evacuation.
Above: the dense fuel hidden inside a juniper hedge. This plant was growing along a street and driveway (aka evacuation route).
Firefighters call junipers "gasoline plants" because they ignite so easily and burn with an intensity too hot to approach. They cause more damage and injury than typical plants.
Home Wildfire Evaluation
Home Wildfire Evaluation
Fire Marshal, Battalion Chief Chase Beckman led an informative walk/discussion on defensible space. He covered how each of us can influence wildfire behavior with vegetation management, identify ember entry points that ignite homes, and prepare an ember-resistant Zone 0. The turnout was great in spite of the cold weather. Thanks to the Forrests for volunteering their property for evaluation! We plan to do this event again with another Redtail Ridge property that has unique mitigation requirements like homes on slopes. If you have questions about your defensible space, we can help. Write to redtailridgefirewise@gmail.com.
Here's is a list of best practices, from CalFire's Ready for Wildfire: Defensible Space ...and our Kensington Requirements.
Taking Action
Start now
Start now
There are steps you can take to increase your fire-readiness and reduce your risk. We'll be adding more information on specific topics like evacuation, home hardening, defensible space, and local wildfire assistance programs.
Meanwhile, here are lists with actions that could make a difference.
Ready for Wildfire -- CalFire website covering a full range of topics.
Last Minute Steps to Protect Your Home -- Fire Safe Marin video & checklist.
How to stay informed in an emergency -- Kensington Fire recommendations.
Wildfire Prepared -- IBHS self-certification program, honored by some insurers. See their free checklist for two levels of mitigation.
Redtail recorded > $240,000 Firewise actions in 2025. Every dollar made our neighborhood more resilient, and helped us renew our Firewise status!
This year let's double that! Report the time and money you spend on home hardening, vegetation removal, and Firewise activities.
Or, download a print form or keep list, and email snaps to redtailridgefirewise@gmail.com
- Print a Time & Expenses Form
Sign up for Redtail updates
Sign up for Redtail updates
We keep you up to date on Redtail events, community preparedness news, regional & local wildfire regulations, grant opportunities and more.
You'll still receive your neighborhood block emails with news that pertains to your closest neighbors.
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