MORAGA-ORINDA FIRE DISTRICT FIRE PREVENTION INFORMATION SHEET Guidelines for Mowing Weeds, Small Brush, and Dried Annual Grasses Safely mowing vegetation can only be done during specified times and under certain conditions. Failure to use ordinary care may result in an ignition. The following guidelines are recommended for Homeowners: As soon as practical once annual grasses have died and turned brown (typically May or early June). Mow before 10:00 a.m. Wind speed < 5 MPH Never during both Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings For Commercial Mowing Operations: As soon as practical once annual grasses have died and turned brown (typically May or early June). Before 10:00 a.m. Mowing operations may commence if relative humidity > 40% and wind speed < 15 MPH. After 10:00 a.m. Mowing operations may commence if relative humidity > 60% and wind speed < 5 MPH. All mowing is prohibited during both Fire Weather Watches and Red.. Full Story

Moraga-Orinda Fire District Public Information Sheet Know the Facts: Ionization Smoke Detectors National TV Spot Slamming Ionization Detectors May Lead to Misinformation On September 3, 2012, a well-publicized media story narrowly focused on research in the smoldering fire environment, where ionization alarms are well-documented to react slower than photoelectric detectors. There was only a passing mention of the ionization detector’s performance in the flaming fire environment, where research shows it reacts faster than its counterpart. What the TV spot failed to mention is that National Fire Incident Reporting System data shows that 93 percent of all residential fires are flaming and that flaming fires account for 75 percent of residential fire deaths. Understanding Smoke Alarm Technologies Fires can have different characteristics. Some can flame and spread quickly while other fires may take more time to spread but produce more smoke. While types of fires.. Full Story

Moraga-Orinda Fire District 1280 Moraga Way Moraga, CA 94556 Contact: Battalion Chief Jerry Lee (925) 258-4514 Release Date: June 14, 2013 ORINDA- On Friday, June 14, 2013, the Moraga-Orinda Fire District responded to a vegetation fire in Orinda. The fire was reported at 11:43 a.m. with no structures threatened. Firefighters contained the 2-acre fire in 23 minutes. A total of 50 personnel from MOFD, Contra Costa County Fire, CalFire, East Bay Regional Parks Fire, and Orinda Police responded to the scene. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Photo Credit: Stephen Healy, Division Chief, MOFD.. Full Story

Moraga-Orinda Fire District 1280 Moraga Way Moraga, CA 94556 Contact: Darrell Lee (925) 258-4513 Release Date: June 1, 2013 Orinda - At 4:00 AM on Saturday, June 1, 2013, units from the Moraga-Orinda Fire District responded to a report of a structure fire in the Orinda Woods area of Orinda. The resident’s adult son awakened to the sound of the home’s fire alarm. He was able to alert the two other sleeping adults and all three escaped the house without injury. The first arriving engine found the attic heavily involved with fire. Firefighters made entry and were able to get water on the fire by approximately 4:10 AM. Moraga-Orinda Fire District and Contra Costa Fire District responded with six fire engines, one truck and two Chief Officers. Twenty-four firefighters contained the fire to the attic and exterior of the garage area. There were no injuries reported and the fire was contained at 4:35 AM. The fire was caused by spontaneous combustion of o.. Full Story

Moraga-Orinda Fire District 33 Orinda Way Orinda, CA 94563 Contact: Chief Randy Bradley 925-260-4500 Release Date: May 20, 2013 ORINDA - On Monday, May 20, 2013, the Moraga-Orinda Fire District responded to a 4-Alarm, fast spreading vegetation fire in Orinda. The fire was reported at 1:24 p.m. with structures threatened briefly on Descanso Drive and Donald Drive. Firefighters were able to gain the upper hand with air support from CalFire. An estimated 10 acres charred the hills of Orinda. Firefighters controlled the fire at 2:51 p.m. Firefighters will remain on scene patrolling for hot spots. Additional firefighters will return in the morning to extinguish remaining smoldering embers. A total of 90 personnel from MOFD, Contra Costa County Fire, CalFire, East Bay Regional Park Fire, Orinda and Moraga Police responded to the scene. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation... Full Story