In the aftermath of two recent Canyon fires -- one two weeks ago that destroyed two homes and a grass fire last week that scorched seven acres -- some residents are busy trying to preparing for another near-disaster, while others are on a mission to prevent one.
About 20 people have already met to review first aid procedures and complete the community's phone tree, an emergency alert system used to warn the 200 people who live in Canyon, said Canyon Postmaster Elena Tyrrell.
Meanwhile, the Canyon Fire Council continues its seven-year dialogue with the Moraga-Orinda Fire Department in hopes of organizing a comprehensive fire risk assessment for the area, said council chairman Jonathan Goodwin.
"The situation, frankly, is that it's very dangerous," Goodwin said. A phone tree is not enough to protect the community, which is chock-full of fire hazards, he added.
Too much vegetation, poor access and a small water supply -- about 30,000 gallons drawn primarily from one well -- are all risk factors for the small community, perched in the hills between Oakland and Moraga, Goodwin said.
That's why the council hopes to glean a risk assessment from the Moraga-Orinda Fire District's new five-year strategic plan, which is just starting to be created.
If an assessment is included in the plan, officials will then document fire hazards in the community, evaluate risks for resident homes and determine if the community has enough resources to handle fire dangers or needs outside assistance, possibly financial, Goodwin said.
"By doing the risk assessment, we'll use that as a basis to apply for grants and funding from various agencies providing them," he said.
Jim Johnston, Moraga Orinda Fire District Chief, said he is not yet sure if a risk assessment for Canyon will be included in the district's strategic plan, but the district can help improve the community's fire safety without one.
"We do want to address fire safety in Canyon," said Johnston, citing the same hazards as Goodwin.
Already the district has applied for a 3,000-gallon mobile water supply, which would not only be available to Canyon, but all other areas within the district, Johnston said.
Because Canyon falls under different jurisdictions -- the Moraga Orinda Fire Department, the County Department of Forestry, and East Bay Regional Parks -- the community must work with all of them to establish both short- and long-term safety goals, Johnston said.
Now, working with the other two jurisdictions and the community, the fire district is planning a walkthrough of Canyon at the end of the month to brainstorm ideas to improve the situation, Johnston said.
"It's going to be a long-term project in a lot of ways, but if there is something we can do to have an immediate impact, we should do those things," he said.
"There's a downside that two homes were lost out there, but on the upside it has prompted some action out there."
