Do Your Part to Reduce Fire Risk

The Ready! Set! Go! Program, developed by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, helps residents create defensible space, retrofit homes with fire-resistant materials, and prepare to evacuate safely before a wildfire occurs.

📄 Download the Ready! Set! Go! Wildfire Action Plan (PDF)

Wildfire Prevention Tips

• Avoid using power tools or equipment that may cause sparks on hot, windy days.

• Postpone outdoor burning or debris clearing during high-risk periods.

• Mow grass or landscape early in the morning, when temperatures are lower.

• Keep fire extinguishers or water nearby when doing construction or repair work.

• Never smoke outdoors near dry brush or vegetation.

• Stay updated on current fire weather conditions and restrictions through Ready.LACounty.gov.

Small steps make a big difference — protect your home, neighbors, and community by staying fire aware and taking preventive action.

Brush Clearance and Defensible Space

Annual brush clearance operations, conducted by the Los Angeles County Fire Department in partnership with Peninsula cities, are critical to wildfire prevention.

These efforts:

• Focus on reducing excess vegetation near homes and structures.

• Maintain defensible space zones that help slow or stop the spread of wildfires.

• Balance fire mitigation with preservation of natural open space.

A collaborative approach between residents and local agencies ensures comprehensive wildfire defense and protection of lives, property, and the environment.

📄 View the Defensible Space Guideline Booklet (PDF)

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City and Regional Fire Safety Initiatives

The City of Rolling Hills Estates works closely with Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, and neighboring Palos Verdes Peninsula cities to strengthen wildfire prevention, emergency response, and recovery efforts. The City remains committed to community safety, resilience, and interagency coordination.

Water Supply and Reliability

The California Water Service (Cal Water) confirms that water quality and supply remain unaffected by recent wildfires. Cal Water has implemented comprehensive emergency preparedness measures, including the Palos Verdes Peninsula Water Reliability Project, completed in 2020.

This project:

• Replaced and expanded local water pipelines, including seven miles of new infrastructure.

• Added a second pump station on Crenshaw Boulevard connected to a separate electrical grid, reducing the risk of outages.

• Ensures that all Peninsula residents and firefighters have access to safe, reliable water for daily and emergency use.

Fire hydrants throughout the Peninsula have been inspected and verified operational, and Cal Water continues to support emergency response efforts.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) and West Basin Municipal Water District also maintain reliable regional water supplies for firefighting operations.

• A bypass pipeline ensures continued water delivery while the Palos Verdes Reservoir undergoes maintenance.

• MWD coordinates directly with local fire agencies to ensure availability of reservoir and aerial firefighting resources, including specialized “Super Scooper” aircraft capable of using ocean water to combat wildfires.

Fire Prevention and Response Technology

The Palos Verdes Peninsula has implemented innovative tools and technology to enhance wildfire detection and firefighting efficiency:

• A HeloPod™ firefighting dip source and cistern was installed at the Ken Dyda Civic Center in Rancho Palos Verdes in 2023. This system allows firefighting helicopters to refill faster, improving aerial response times.

• A network of AI-powered wildfire detection cameras by Pano AI has been deployed on the Peninsula. These 360-degree, high-definition cameras continuously scan for smoke and fire activity within a 15-mile radius. The system enables rapid detection, location triangulation, and real-time alerts for fire monitoring professionals. This project, funded through a $1.5 million state allocation secured by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, significantly improves local wildfire response and prevention capabilities.

Are You Ready?

Wildfire Preparedness Be ready to evacuate by gathering emergency supplies and creating a go bag.

Think of the Five Ps if evacuating: People Pets Pills (medications) Photos (including photo documentation of your home for insurance purposes) Papers (such as utility bills, birth certificates, etc.

Make a quick checklist and post near your exit routes around your home (front door, back door, etc.). Make sure to list the location of items to help you in high-stress situations. If I Have No Time People and Pets Go-Bag (with SHOES) If I have 5-Minutes Medications (list location) Glasses (location) Laptop/Cell Phone/Chargers (location) Essential Medical Equipment (if applicable and location) If I have 30-Minutes (in addition to the above) Photo Albums Family Portraits Stuffed Animals (comfort items) Change of Clothing (for everyone) More preparedness information can be found at https://lacounty.gov/emergency/emergency-survival-guide/

Be Prepared for Power Outages Power outages can happen unexpectedly, so it’s essential to be ready. Stock up on batteries, flashlights, backup cell phone chargers, and charging cables to stay connected and safe. Don’t forget to charge your devices ahead of time to ensure you have power when you need it most. For real-time outage updates, visitsce.com/outage. To learn more about preparing for outages, explore helpful tips atsce.com/outage-center/preparing-for-outages.

Are You and Your Pets Prepared for an Emergency Event?

Preparing your pets for an emergency is important to ensuring their safety during unexpected situations. Here are some key steps to include your pet in your family's plan:

1. Make a Plan
2. Build a Kit
3. Prepare for Travel
4. Stay Informed

Learn more by visiting: Prepare Your Pets for Disasters | Ready.gov

 

 

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Are You and Your Horses Prepared for an Emergency Event? Living and owning horses has its special challenges, particularly where emergency preparedness is concerned.It is every horse owner's responsibility to have an emergency plan in place.Youare the one who can plan to keep your horses safe, either by early evacuation or ensuring they can be safely sheltered in place. Learn about equine emergency preparedness by viewing the City's Preparedness Booklet HERE.

 

During an emergency event, it's crucial to understand and follow directions from public safety officials. Familiarize yourself with these key terms to ensure you respond appropriately: Advisory:An advisory is a notification about a potential hazard or situation that may require your attention. While not as urgent as warnings or orders, advisories should be closely monitored. Shelter in Place:When directed to shelter in place,stay where you are, whether at home, work, or another location. Youshould remain indoors. Shut and lock doors and windows, and be prepared to self-sustain until further notice is provided.It's typically issued when it's safer to remain indoors than to evacuate. Evacuation Warning: An evacuation warning means to start preparing to leave. If you have animals or children or need additional time evacuating, consider departing at this stage due to these special circumstances. Evacuation Order: If you receive an evacuation order, this means you need to leave immediately. Emergency responders have determined there is an imminent life safety risk and you need to evacuate. Always stay informed through official channels and follow the guidance of local authorities during emergencies.

🎥 What to Include in Your Emergency Kit (Video)
🎥 What to Do Before, During, and After an Earthquake (Video)
📄Ready! Set! Go! Wildfire Action Plan (PDF)
🤝 Palos Verdes Peninsula Community Emergency Response Team (CERT
📄 Learn How to Prepare for and Survive a Disaster in the City of Rolling Hills Estates (PDF)
🐎 Equestrian Preparedness Guide (PDF)

What is a Hazard Mitigation Plan? 

Hazard mitigation is any long-term, sustainable action that reduces risk to people, property, and services from future disasters. Creating a comprehensive plan in advance helps communities identify risks and select mitigation measures.

State and local government agencies are required to prepare comprehensive disaster mitigation plans such as a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) per the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA) and to be eligible for hazard mitigation grant funding. A LHMP contains information about the type of hazards a community faces, and actions that can be taken to reduce vulnerability. Hazards identified in the Plan include Earthquake, Fire, Tsunami, Earth Movement, Hazardous Materials Event, Human Caused Event, Utility Related Event, and Cyber Terrorism.

Plan Benefits

• Reduce loss of life, property damage, and economic disruption.

• Prioritize hazard mitigation planning and public engagement.

• Promote education and partnerships to implement long-term safety measures.

HMPs are long-term strategies to reduce disaster losses and break the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. The LHMP goes through an update every five years. Mitigation plans must be reviewed and updated, formally approved by federal and state governing bodies, and then formally adopted by the local governing body (City/Special District) as part of receiving approval.

A LHMP also ensures continued eligibility for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding.

Current Plan Update (2025)

In 2025, the Palos Verdes Peninsula cities began developing a local Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan that will ultimately be reviewed and submitted for approval by state and federal emergency management agencies.  A Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan not only guides local governments in implementing these strategies but also makes them eligible for state and federal grant funding for emergency planning and mitigation. The plan is an important emergency planning document that will identify hazards, assess risk from those hazards, and identifies possible strategies to reduce impacts.

We welcome and encourage community members to participate in during the planning process! Upcoming meeting information and materials will be shared on the PVPready.gov website. If you live or work on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, please take a moment to  fill out a short survey. This survey aims to collect your thoughts on any hazards and risks we face locally. Results from the survey will help us better coordinate future mitigation activities to create more resilient communities!

Take the survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/PVP_HMP, scan the QR code, or visit PVPready.gov

2020 Plan

The 2020 Joint Hazard Mitigation Plan (JHMP) was prepared under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) to identify local hazards, assess risks, and outline strategies to reduce future disaster losses. This plan was developed jointly by the Cities of Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, and Emergency Planning Consultants.  The 2020 Plan can be found here.

On March 24, 2025, the State Fire Marshal released revised recommendations for Fire Hazard Severity Zones to local agencies. The City of Rolling Hills Estates was identified as having Moderate, High, Very High or a combination of Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) within our jurisdiction.

On May 27, 2025, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 751, adopting updated Fire Hazard Severity Zones as recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Pursuant to Government Code Section 51178.

 

Additional information may be found on Cal Fire’s website: Fire Hazard Severity Zones | OSFM

Please note that any parcel that contains a portion of a Moderate, High, or Very High Fire Severity Zone designation is considered to be within that respective designation. In the case where parcels have overlapping or multiple designations, the stricter designation applies (i.e. if a parcel has both Moderate and High Fire Severity designations, the High Fire Severity designation applies).  

 

If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Slawson, Assistant to the City Manager at JessicaS@rollinghillsestates.gov

The City is fortunate to have several active, well-trained volunteer organizations ready to assist first responders during emergencies, including:

• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) – Volunteers trained in first aid, light search and rescue, and disaster support.

• Los Angeles County Disaster Communication Service (DCS) – Provides vital radio communications during outages.

• Equine Response Team – Assists with animal evacuation and sheltering during wildfires and other disasters.

At it's January 14 2025 meeting, the City Council received an update from Los Angeles County Fire Department Assistant Chief Brian Kane on the Eaton Canyon and Palisades wildfires. Chief Kane also discussed fire response and readiness on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. View the Presentation here.