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REFLECTIVE SIGN PROGRAM
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The Fallbrook Fire Safe Council has an on-going program offering reflective address signs for $25.00 including the mounting post (a grant is covering the rest of the cost of the sign and the mounting post.) If your mailbox is located on a main road with a group of other mailboxes, it is very likely that your house number in not clearly marked with reflective numbers at your driveway. This makes it very difficult for fire department and EMT personnel and vehicles to find you quickly in a fire or medical emergency! Please consider seriously getting one of these signs. It will really help any emergency services find your home when minutes count. It's a bargain. Here's a link to the Fallbrook Fire Safe Council's Reflective Sign page. You can order form this page. https://fallbrookfiresafecouncil.org/reflective-sign-program/
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EVENTS
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Upcoming Events
The Fallbrook Fire Safety Council will be hosting chipping day on Saturdays in the coming months. Get rid of your unwanted tree trimmings and brush.
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The chipping events will be at a different location going forward given the parcel we were using on Pepper Tree Ln has been sold. Please continue to monitor our signs and Facebook posts for updates once a new location has been identified.
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For more information on each Event, click on these links
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Chipping Events are restricted to residents only,
NO commercial contractors
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Past Events
The Fallbrook Fire Safe Council sponsored their fifth “chipping day” of 2026 on Saturday, August 22nd at the corner of S. Mission Rd. and Pepper Tree Ln. from 7:30am to 1:30pm. The event was offered to residents of Fallbrook, Bonsall, DeLuz and Rainbow.
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About 65 community members brought close to 220 pickup truck equivalent loads of material equating to over 35,200 cu ft of cut vegetation that produced over 2,200 cu ft of untreated mulch. The chipped/shredded material was deposited into two “roll-off” containers provided by the EDCO satellite facility in Fallbrook. The untreated mulch has been diverted to several EDCO green waste centers throughout the San Diego County
for processing. The material will be treated at these centers and eventually made available to residents throughout San Diego County. The event was supported by two “hard charging” volunteers from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton who did a fantastic job of assisting with the offloading of the cut vegetation and placing the material into the chippers. Without their support this event would not have been as successful as it was. Additionally, two members of the Fallbrook Sheriff’s Senior Volunteer Patrol and five members of the Fire Safe Council supported the event. California Tree Service of San Marcos provided two crews and chipping equipment in
support of the event. Russ Kortlever, Fallbrook Fire Safe Council Member, noted that “we didn’t experience as many participants for this event that we normally have which probably is due to the hot weather we’ve experienced these past two weeks.”
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Mulch Availability
We had had several residents inquire about mulch availability. Unfortunately, we cannot distribute to residents the mulch that has just been chipped during an event because there is a risk of spreading invasive species, insects and diseases from the material just chipped.
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EDCO has a program where several types of mulch could be made available through a new Fallbrook Fire Safe Council Mulch Event if the demand exists. We have created a survey to determine interest before hosting this new event type given the mulch only comes in a 40 yd roll off dumpster.
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You can read about the different types of mulch that could be available and take the survey below. The mulch would be available free of charge.
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You can take the survey here:
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Standard Mulch (Easiest to produce & stockpile)
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Best when the priority is utility, high-volume availability, and cost-saving (low maintenance, water conservation, weed suppression in large, unmanicured areas).
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This material typically consists of larger, coarser wood and green waste pieces. It breaks down slowly and provides heavy-duty ground cover.
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- Superior Weed Control: The larger pieces block sunlight effectively, preventing weed germination.
- Maximum Moisture Retention: Highly effective at reducing water evaporation from the soil, which is a strong selling point for water conservation.
- Erosion Control: The heavier, interlocking pieces stay put, making it highly resistant to washing or blowing away.
- Longevity: Requires less frequent replacement because it decomposes slowly.
- Ideal Municipal Applications: Highway medians, large city parks, hillside stabilization, native plant restoration areas, and around large trees or mature shrubs.
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Premium Mulch (Hardest to produce as it requires extra screening to remove the “fines” & achieve a uniform spec)
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Best when the priority is excellent coverage, low dust, and a uniform appearance without the need for heavy-duty erosion control.
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This material is similar in size to standard mulch but is screened to remove the fine material. It provides a more uniform specification that is lighter and easier to work with.
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- Better Coverage: Because it is lighter and free of fines, it spreads easily, allowing a single load to cover more square footage.
- Low Dust: The removal of fine particulate matter makes the application process much cleaner, which is a major benefit for crews working in populated or windy areas.
- Uniform Aesthetics: Provides a cleaner, more consistent look than standard mulch while still offering excellent weed suppression and moisture retention.
- Ideal Municipal Applications: Public pathways, commercial building perimeters, streetscapes, and mid-to-high visibility areas where dust control and a uniform look are preferred over heavy hillside stabilization.
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Organic Fines (Fine Mulch)
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Best when the priority is aesthetics and soil health (beautifying public squares, feeding heavily landscaped areas, and planting new beds).
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This material has been screened to a smaller, more uniform particle size. It acts as a hybrid between a traditional mulch and a soil amendment.
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- Nutrient Density: Because it is finer and breaks down faster, it delivers nutrients back into the soil much more quickly than standard mulch.
- Soil Amendment: Easily worked into the topsoil to improve soil structure, aeration, and drainage.
- Aesthetics: Provides a very clean, dark, and manicured "finished" look.
- Seedbed Prep: Gentle enough to be used around delicate, shallow-rooted plants, or new plantings without smothering them.
- Ideal Municipal Applications: High-visibility areas like city hall flower beds, botanical gardens, municipal golf courses, turf topdressing, and community garden plots.
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ZONE 0 INFORMATION
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Zone 0 is key for wildfire defense and preventing fires from spreading to your home.
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The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection just approved updated landscaping with changes from the previous vote pertaining to homes in high fire risk areas that now allow for well maintained, non-woody vegetation within the first five feet if they are at or below 18 inches, 2 feet away from any windows, and not within the safety zone.
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The only area now with a total prohibition of any combustible material is known as the safety zone, which is a minimum of 1 foot from the wall or attached deck and extends out to cover the area underneath the eaves. So for a home with no eaves, it is just a 1-foot safety zone all around.
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Are you in a High Fire Risk Area?
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You can determine if your home is located in the high fire risk areas and impacted by these new rules using the Cal Fire - Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps located at this link:
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- No plants within 1 foot of a home. Maintained non-woody plants and lawns up to 18 inches tall are permitted if not directly under rooflines ( eaves).
- First 5 feet are free of combustible materials (wood mulch, dead vegetation, leaves)
- No wooden structures in “Zone 0′
- Wooden fences or gates cannot attach to house
It’s important to note that the removal of trees is not required, but branches should be trimmed back to at least 10 feet from chimneys and 5 feet above roofs.
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The new Zone 0 rules do not ban potted plants, but it does place strict conditions on them within the 5-foot perimeter around your home.
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- Non-Combustible Pots: Plants must be kept in fire-safe containers like clay, ceramic, terra cotta, or metal. Plastic or wooden pots are not allowed.
- Easily Movable: The containers must be easy to move out of the area quickly if needed.
- Height Limits: The plants themselves cannot be taller than 1.5 feet (18 inches).
- Spacing Rules: Potted plants must be spaced apart from each other, typically by at least 1.5 times the height of the tallest plant.
- Buffer Clearances: They cannot be placed within the strict 1-foot vegetation-free buffer right next to the structure, or within 2 feet of windows, doors, and vents.
- Covered porches fall directly within the strict rules of Zone 0, meaning they must be kept almost entirely clear of flammable objects
- Furniture Restrictions: Traditional wooden or wicker patio furniture is restricted. You will need to opt for non-combustible outdoor furniture, such as sets made of metal, aluminum, or wrought iron.
- Doormats: Standard natural-fiber doormats (like coir or jute) are combustible and not allowed. You should replace them with heavy rubber mats or metal grates.
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What does this mean for us in San Diego County?
Existing homeowners living in “high-hazard” zones will have up to five years to comply with “Zone Zero,” while new construction must adhere to the new rules immediately.
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San Diego as a region has always been somewhat ahead of the curve when it comes to Zone 0. San Diego County Fire, San Diego Fire-Rescues, and other local fire protection districts have already adopted Zone 0 requirements in some capacity so the change will not be as dramatic as for other parts of the state. These statewide regulations took inspiration from San Diego Fire-Rescue’s multi-year phased approach for Zone 0 adoption and have included a 3-5 year timeline for implementation.
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For details on the latest Zone 0 decisions, click on this link
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DONATIONS
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Fewer available dollars and fierce competition have significantly reduced average grant awards. The Fallbrook Fire Safe Council is a non-profit organization that benefits from the generosity of community members like you, helping to fund our operations and projects, such as the chipping day events and the reflective address sign program, among others.
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Your contribution is tax-deductible, and we sincerely thank you for your support!
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You can make a donation by following this link:
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COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS
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The Fallbrook Fire Safety Council would like to thank the following local businesses that support us through services and contributions to our programs and events.
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