As temperatures drop and we move into fall, it’s easy to forget about the dry, hot summer months and the fire season we all just made it through. Depending on where you’re located, it might still feel like summer, but in the next few months, we’ll be entering into the best time for major fire prevention work. Late fall through early spring (after rain and before vegetation dries out) is usually the safest and most effective time to work on “fireproofing” your water system. During these months, vegetation is less flammable, weather is cooler, and soil is moist, making it easier to clear brush, thin trees, or conduct prescribed burns.
Not only is this the ideal time to reduce the amount of “fuel” surrounding your property, but it’s also a great time to place landscaping. Winter to early spring is ideal for pruning, removing dead vegetation, thinning trees, and creating defensible space. And if you want to be extra proactive, you can even plant fire-resistant vegetation in the early spring or fall so plants have time to establish before the summer heat. Working with tools, machinery, or even vehicles in dry grass can spark fires. It’s best to avoid heavy clearing, welding, mowing, and especially burning. In short, the best time to prepare for the 2026 fire season is during the times we tend to think about it the least.
One way to stay on top of fire clearing is to establish a fire prevention schedule. You can even incorporate this schedule into a broader Emergency Response Plan or Risk and Resiliency Assessment. Here’s an example of what your system can use to make fire safety a part of your yearly, quarterly, and monthly routine.
Fire Prevention & Mitigation Checklist
| Jan. – Feb. | • Inspect and service backup generators, test underload.
• Check fuel storage (diesel/propane) for emergency generators. • Clear gutters, roofs, and vents at treatment plants, pump stations, and offices. • Begin vegetation management planning for spring (budget + scheduling). |
| March – April | • Trim tree limbs within 10 ft of facilities, power lines, and tanks.
• Clear brush/grass within 100 ft defensible space of all structures, tanks, and pump houses (per Cal Fire guidelines). • Inspect tank ladders, hatches, and vents for ember resistance. • Train staff on wildfire emergency protocols (evacuations, system shutdowns). |
| May | • Conduct system vulnerability inspection: identify exposed pipelines, above-ground infrastructure, and pump stations in high-risk zones.
• Verify fire hydrants and standpipes are accessible and marked. • Ensure backup water supply agreements are up to date with nearby systems or agencies. • Test SCADA alarms, telemetry, and remote monitoring (wildfires can knock out comms). |
| June | • Finalize vegetation clearing before fire restrictions tighten.
• Inspect access roads to tanks, pumps, and wells—ensure emergency vehicles can get in. • Distribute customer wildfire readiness notices (e.g., defensible space around service lines, water use restrictions in emergencies). |
| July – Aug. (Peak Fire Season) | • Maintain daily inspections for vegetation regrowth at facilities.
• Stage emergency equipment (portable pumps, hoses, fuel, satellite phones). • Check fire extinguishers at all facilities. • Enforce “no welding, mowing, or grinding” policies near dry vegetation. |
| Sep. | • Review and refresh mutual aid agreements (with other water companies, fire districts, or JPA risk pools).
• Conduct tabletop exercise: wildfire + power outage scenario (simulate evacuation routes, water shutoffs, emergency notifications). |
| Oct. | • Inspect and clean all facilities post-fire season; repair fire-related wear.
• Evaluate system resilience upgrades: hardened pump houses, ember-resistant vents, fire-resistant coatings for tanks. • Apply for grants (Cal OES, Cal Fire, DWR small water system funding) for fire mitigation projects. |
| Nov. – Dec. | • Assess year’s wildfire impacts on watershed and source water quality (ash, erosion, turbidity).
• Install erosion control (straw wattles, hydroseeding) around facilities. • Begin capital planning for next year’s fire mitigation projects. • Update emergency response and continuity of operations plans. |
Sometimes, things happen that no amount of preparation can prevent. That’s where a robust, comprehensive insurance policy comes in. MemberGuard, CRWA’s insurance program, was specifically designed with utilities in mind, and is backed by an experienced organization that has handled thousands of CA water entity claims. Before you sign up for just any insurance policy to protect your system against fire, lawsuits, or even cyber-attacks, be sure to see what MemberGuard has to offer.
Important: If you’re currently part of another risk pool, be aware that many programs require advance notice for exit and may charge an early exit fee. Be sure to consult with your insurance broker or one of our licensed agents if you’re already in a risk pool Program, if you’re considering switching to MemberGuard.
Please contact our office if you wish to speak with a licensed agent that specializes in water utility insurance coverage.
Utility Resource Insurance Services (URIS) License #0G58189
Dustin Hardwick – Managing Agent
License #0G53300
California Rural Water Risk Management Authority
Call: (760) 920-0842
Email: dhardwick@urisinsurance.com
Erika Canham – Customer Service Representative
License #4129002
California Rural Water Risk Management Authority
Call: (916) 612-8598
Email: ecanham@urisinsurance.com
Thomas Elisher – Project Manager
License #0K85972
California Rural Water Risk Management Authority
Call: (530) 306-7045
Email: telisher@urisinsurance.com