Carmel Prepares for Emergencies 

May 5th 2025 - Carmel Ciy Council - Fire Zones and new Regulations, 5ft Defensible Space etc

HERE is the Staff report for this topic
HERE is the Presentation prepared in advance on this topic
HERE is the YouTube from this topic
HERE is the Carmel Pine Cone - cover article covers this topic

This session generated significant discussion with the public and Council. Council agreed to recommendation #1 of only approving the FireZone Maps, but to explore a possible citizen committee to work with Staff on the implications of the increased impact on landscaping, buidling requirements and our urganized forest - with the overall feel of our Village. This will come back before Council in the next 2 months. 

February 6th 2025 - CRA Hosted "Wildfires and Emergency Preparedness - Live Q&A with the Chiefs"

With the devastation in Southern California, this raises local concerns to know how our Village is prepared and preventing the possibilities including property owners, residents, businesses and the City teams.  The format for this community briefing was interactive Q&A with our Police Commander Todd Trayer and Fire Chief Andrew Miller and City Administrator Chip Rerig with staff.  Our thanks to all of them for their support.

HERE is the YouTube of our Feb 6th Wildfire Readiness Q&A Program



Plus on February 3rd Our City Chiefs+ presented plans and resources at the Special City Council. [items covered include: Wild Fire Protection Plans, Evacuation plans, Carmel Prepares programs, ongoing Staff efforts (forest & buildings) and others]  

HERE is the YouTube of the Feb 3rd City Council Wildfire Preparedness Update
HERE are the Slides presented on Feb 3rd.
HERE is the Carmel Pine Cone Article (page 1) from this session

Community "Carmel Prepares" Sessions are held two times per year. 
Here are helpful items for your readiness.

Overall Emergency Status
* Sign up for Monterey County emergency alerts and advisories. Includes phone, text and email notifications. (use zip 93921 for Carmel-by-the-Sea)  Circumstances of an emergency may change evacuation route guidance.
* Carmel/Monterey/Pacific Grove Fire Department - Spring 2025 Newsletter <-- GREAT READING!
* Carmel Emergency Evacuation Routes
* Carmel Emergency Operations Plan
* Monterey County Emergency Evacuation Guide  
* Wildfire Protection Plan for Cities of Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel-by-the-Sea as of 2024
* CalFire - Fire Zone Maps
      Fire Hazard Severity Map Guide page HERE 
      Fire Hazard Maps Q&A Dec 2024 HERE
* Check PG&E outage map.  Phone 1-800-743-500 (use cross streets for your location)
* Sign up for California Earthquake Alerts 

What You Can Do to Protect Your Home & Be Prepared <-- Full of great tips
* Defensible Space Recommendations (flyer) Monterey Fire, HERE is a helpful YouTube 
* Wildfire & Home Fire Preparedness Video (30 min) 
   Emergency (to go) Kits, for your compilation & readiness
     Items (for you, your car, your pets, etc) published by joint Carmel Prepares teams (here)
     Important Financial/Recovery Documents, online or printed (here)
* NEW - PG&E's "Safety Action Center" (here)

Coming soon from our Carmel Police Department - Portal to register local individuals with limitations needing assistance in an Emergency.

Weather Updates
* National Weather Service Monterey forecast page  
* Central California weather radar by AccuWeather

Roadway Status Updates
* CHP traffic incidents and road closures.
* Caltrans Monterey County road closures and travel alerts.

Village Phone Numbers ( dial 911 with urgent needs)
   Carmel Police Department Non-emergency 831-624-6403
   Carmel Fire Department 831-620-2030
   Carmel Public Works 831-620-2070 

National Resources and Programs
* Firewise Programs - "How To" become a Firewise Community HERE
* FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency 
* American Red Cross HERE
* www.ready.gov - is a Federal Government side providing guidance for all emergency needs & services

Insurance Coverage Concerns
* Research from Stanford covering: Wildfire Health Risks, Insurance coverage/costs, Achieving Resilliance, and much more! 
* VERY HELPFUL - California Insurance Commissioner Mary Beth Bykowsky presented Jan 2025 in Carmel Valley by an area local Firewise team. Here are the Slides, here is the YouTube Video 

Visit the City "Carmel Prepares" webpage...more  HERE 
with readiness tools, video's, slides etc are shown below.

Videos from June 2024 and Nobember 2024 Carmel Prepares Sessions 

Here is a video report from KSBW 2/6/2024 

Read on for comprehensive information provided to the community January 6th 2024... 

Whether it be storms, fire or other emergencies - the City teams have programs, tools and plans that serve us all.  They host events that review all of these tools and take our questions.  A recent event under "Carmel Prepares" was held in the Carpenter Hall of Sunset Center, specifically on Saturday Sept 6th, 2024. 

Visit the Carmel Prepares webpage here - on https://ci.carmel.ca.us/carmel-prepares -  for details and updates.


Here’s a list of good first steps you can take today to start on the path of preparedness for yourself and your loved ones:

  • Notification: Sign-up for Alert Monterey County and sign up for Nixle, a free notification system used by our police, fire, and city to advise subscribers of road closures and other emergencies with real-time updates on your cell phone, email, or both. Simply text your zip code to 888777 to enroll for free.
  • Information: Check out Ready Monterey County from the Department for Emergency Management for guides on making plans, building an emergency kit, and much more. 
  • Evacuation: Know (and share with your neighbors) the evacuation routes.
  • Participation in Events & Trainings: Attend preparedness events, including trainings, organized by the City and Carmel CERT throughout the year.