By Keith Pendleton
The Cambria Focus Group for FiresafeSLO will host a board meeting Tuesday, February 24, to schedule 2026 public information presentations according. The meeting is scheduled for 3 to 5 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church, 2250 Yorkshire Dr. in Cambria.
Surrounded by forests, Cambria seems to be a California epicenter for fire-safe challenges. Many Cambria residents have received notices from their homeowner’s insurance providers saying their insurance may be cancelled. Some notices listed changes or improvements that could remedy coverage cancellation.
This writer received such a notice specific to the home roof condition. Put a new roof on the house within six months (a completion-date was listed) and your policy will remain intact. Yes, satellites are monitoring your home! Many other residents were notified that their insurance company was leaving the California market, and no remedy was possible except to find a new insurer.
Fortunately Cambria is a Fire-Safe community with many resources including a network of San Luis Obispo County firesafe neighborhoods. Last March, FiresafeSLO.org coordinated with the Cambria Community Services District/Cambria Fire Department to hold several neighborhood meetings at the Cambria Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall. Notices were sent out to Cambria neighborhoods letting residents know what timeslot their neighborhood presentation would be. The same presentations are expected to be scheduled this year.
These presentations teach fire-safe information to attendees to allow them to make their homes and properties safer from fire hazard. FiresafeSLO.org website lists much of the information presented and lists brochures and fliers available for more graphic detail. Firesafe Community Certification allows for fire insurance discounts from most area providers.
The basic wildfire program is to remove flammable vegetation from within five feet of the house. There are three safety zones listed in the brochures extending up to 100 feet surrounding the home structures. Another consideration is putting together a go-bag in case of evacuation and to learn evacuation routes for your neighborhood.
San Luis Obispo County Certified Firesafe Communities include: Arroyo Grande/Las Ventanas, Avila Valley, including Baron Canyon, Indian Knob and San Luis Bay Estates, Los Osos/Cabrillo Estates, Cambria, Lake Nacimiento including Oak Shores, Heritage Ranch and Southside Communities, as well as LakeLopez/Ranchita Estates.
Being a Certified Firesafe Community offers insurance discounts for homeowner’s fire insurance from a list of companies listed on the firesafeslo.org website. Readers can also check with your insurance agent to see if you get the discount based upon residency in the neighborhoods listed above.
