11. Fire prevention

In this episode of Ventura Voices, we're diving into one of Ventura’s most urgent issues—wildfire prevention. With memories of the 2017 Thomas Fire still fresh and new wildfires threatening communities across California each year, we sit down with two wildfire safety leaders to discuss how Ventura residents can prepare and protect. Ventura Fire Marshal Brett Reed and Stephen Watson, Executive Director of the Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council, join Senior Communications Specialist Emily Ayala to unpack the tools and tactics that help prevent the next big fire. From creating defensible space and hardening your home to understanding CAL FIRE's draft fire hazard severity zone maps and the power of Firewise USA communities, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiring local stories. Let this episode be your spark for change. Resources from the episode: - Fire Hazard Reduction Program: Cityofventura.ca.gov/FHRP - CAL FIRE's draft Fire Hazard Severity Zone map for Ventura: Cityofventura.ca.gov/FHSZ - Free Home Wildfire Assessments: venturafiresafe.org/home-wildfire-assessments/ - Firewise USA: https://venturafiresafe.org/firewiseusa/ - VC Alert: https://www.readyventuracounty.org/vc-alert/