Making our homes safer from wildfire!
Our Spring Dumpathon has officially wrapped up—and it may have been our most successful one yet!
Together, we filled 17 dumpsters—removing nearly 20 tons of flammable trimmings from Kensington’s yards and canyons. That’s over 8,500 cubic feet of potential fire fuel… gone!
This impressive effort took nearly 160 volunteer hours to organize and run, and came in at just under $7,000. We had over 100 residents roll up their sleeves for hands-on defensible space work, and through outreach and word of mouth, we reached an estimated 1,500 community members—spreading fire safety awareness across Kensington.
Funders for the Dumpathon include The San Diego Fire Foundation, San Diego River Conservancy, SDG&E and Kensington residents. EDCO also donates dumpsters for this event.
Explore Our Earth Day Fire Safety Posters
At Earth Day, we showcased key fire safety strategies like defensible space, Zone Zero, and fire-resistant building materials. Take a look at the posters we shared, complete with helpful links so you can dive deeper and protect your home and community.
We all remember the terrifying brush fire that raged in Fairmont Canyon on October 15, 2019. It presumably started in a homeless encampment somewhere off Aldine. If the winds had been blowing west, not east, our Kensington canyons and potentially our homes would have been in peril. That’s why Kensington community members take fire safety seriously. It could happen any time.
Kensington Fire Safe is a community organization under the umbrella Fire Safe Council San Diego County. We are an IRS approved 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Our mission is to educate Kensington neighbors about fire safety and encourage each other to make our homes fire safe through home hardening, brush clearing and fire-resistant landscaping.
Kensington Fire Safe is proud to be a grant recipient of the San Diego Fire Foundation, with support from the San Diego River Conservancy and SDG&E. This vital funding—along with generous donations from Kensington residents—makes our fall and spring Dumpathons possible.
We’re also deeply grateful to EDCO for their in-kind donation of dumpsters for these community cleanup events.
Thank you all for helping keep Kensington fire-safe, one Dumpathon at a time!
Kensington Fire Safe’s Latest News:
- Reduced San Diego High Fire Zones Questioned at Forum
A surprising update to the State Fire Hazard map eliminated over 30,000 acres from San Diego’s “Very High” fire zones—raising concerns about fire safety and preparedness. Local Fire Safe Councils quickly organized a public forum where CalFire and San Diego Fire-Rescue officials explained the science behind the new designations and how the city plans to respond. - San Diego Regional Fire Foundation Announces 2025 Project SAFE Grants to Local Fire Safe Councils
$300,000 in grants awarded to 31 local Fire Safe Councils throughout the San Diego region. - Thoughts on the Los Angeles 2025 Fires by Greg RubinFollowing the devastating Los Angeles fires, landscape contractor Greg Rubin shares insights on fire-resistant landscaping gleaned from over 20 years of experience and the mentorship of CalFire firefighter Bert Wilson. He emphasizes the importance of plant hydration over specific plant selection, advocating for light overhead irrigation of native plants and shredded redwood mulch to create defensible space and protect homes from ember attacks. Rubin also proposes community-level solutions like lightly irrigated native greenbelts to buffer homes from wildland fires.
- Kensington residents concerned about fire risk posed by illegal encampmentsOn Tuesday, January 21, 2025 KPBS ran a story about the risks of wildfire due to illegal camping near Kensington. Amy Dyson, Judy Harrington and Mike Baldwin, all KFS board members, were interviewed. Watch the story.
- Where Do You Go for Wildfire Info?
MetroView, Jan 2025: Judy shares essential resources and expert insights on staying informed during wildfires, including recommended apps, official alerts, and emergency communication tips. - Been Hit Yet With Odd New Insurance Queries?
MetroView, Nov 2024: Learn why Kensington isn’t a Firewise or Fire Risk Reduction Community and how it might impact homeowners’ insurance. - Montezuma Fire: The Miracle of Only One Home Lost. What Happened and What’s Next
When the Montezuma Fire broke out on October 31, 2024, firefighters braced for devastation, expecting to lose 15 to 20 homes. Thanks to a rapid and massive response, only one home was destroyed, leaving residents eager to learn how this miracle happened and how to prepare for the next fire. - Ready for Zone Zero Around your Home?
MetroView, Sep. 2024: Learn how California’s new five-foot fire-free zone could impact your property and what steps you can take now to improve fire safety. - Alder Canyon Fire on September 8, 2024
A swift response prevented disaster when a fire broke out in Alder Canyon on a scorching 103-degree day. No injuries or damage, but this close call reminds us: it’s time to clear flammable brush and protect our neighborhood from future fires.