Dear Cambria Residents,

The Cambria Fire Department is pleased to announce the launch of a new monthly Public Safety Newsletter. Beginning this month, Fire Chief Michael Burkey and Confidential Administrative Assistant Haley Dodson will release regular updates to keep the community informed on important safety topics, emergency preparedness tips, recent department activity, upcoming events, and more.

This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to transparency, public engagement, and community safety. The newsletter will be available on the CCSD website and shared through social media and other public communication channels.

We look forward to connecting with our residents in this new way and providing timely, helpful information to keep Cambria safe and prepared.

On July 15, 2025, the Cambria Fire Department took delivery of a new Type 5 Wildland Skeeter Brush truck. This vital addition to the department’s fire apparatus fleet significantly strengthens its ability to respond to wildfires in and around Cambria—an urgent need identified and recommended for purchase in February 2023.

Cambria Fire Department’s two existing engines—Engine 5792 (a 2017 Pierce Dash Type 1, 1500 GPM) and Engine 5791 (a 2007 Pierce Dash Type 1, 1500 GPM)—are purpose-built for commercial and residential structure fires. However, these Type 1 engines are not off-road capable and are not designed to operate in the rugged, brush-filled terrain that surrounds much of Cambria. With the community located in a heavily forested region and the CCSD owning significant open space, the absence of a wildland fire apparatus represented a serious vulnerability in the district’s emergency response capabilities.

Recognizing this, the CCSD Board of Directors prioritized the acquisition of a wildland-capable apparatus in the fiscal year 2022/2023 budget. Following a thorough evaluation of options, the department selected the Wildland Skeeter Brush Truck—a high-performance, off-road capable Type 5 apparatus that exceeds national standards. While the national minimum standards for a Type 5 wildland engine include a 400-gallon water tank, a pump capacity of 50 GPM, and 100 PSI, the custom-built Cambria Skeeter surpasses these with a 400-gallon tank, 300 GPM pump capacity, and 170 PSI, ensuring superior fire suppression capabilities in remote terrain.

Type 1 Engine: Type 1 engines are designed for structural firefighting in developed areas. They are large, heavy-duty vehicles equipped with advanced pumping systems (typically 1,000–1,500 GPM), 500 gallons of water, and a full complement of ladders, hoses, and rescue tools. These engines are crewed by a team of four or more firefighters and are best suited for urban and suburban environments. Due to their size and design, Type 1 engines are not capable of off-road or wildland operation.

Type 5 Wildland Skeeter Brush Truck: Type 5 engines, such as Cambria’s new Wildland Skeeter Brush Truck, are purpose-built for wildland and wildland-urban interface (WUI) firefighting. These smaller, lighter, and highly maneuverable vehicles are designed to navigate narrow roads, trails, and rugged terrain that larger engines cannot access. Type 5 engines typically carry 400 gallons of water and are equipped with a pump capable of delivering at least 50 gallons per minute (GPM). Their compact design makes them more cost-effective and allows them to operate with a smaller crew, offering greater flexibility and efficiency during wildfire response operations.

The addition of the new Wildland Skeeter Brush Truck is a strategic and essential investment in public safety. It marks a significant advancement in the Cambria Fire Department’s mission to protect life, property, and the environment. As wildfire seasons grow more intense, this specialized apparatus ensures our community is better prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to fire emergencies throughout Cambria’s unique coastal forest landscape.

As part of our commitment to long-term planning and operational readiness, CCSD staff have already initiated the process of acquiring the department’s next fire engine. The formal procurement process will begin this fall, with staff aiming to present a purchase recommendation to the Board of Directors for consideration and approval. The new engine will replace Cambria’s current first-out Engine 5792, which will then be moved to second-out status. At that time, Engine 5791 will be surplused and sold, as it will have reached the end of its service life. Given current lead times, delivery of a new engine typically takes three to five years, making early planning essential to ensure the continued reliability of our emergency response capabilities.

In light of the recent fires across California, the Cambria Fire Department urges all residents to remain vigilant and take steps to prepare for the ongoing threat of wildfire. These events are a stark reminder of how quickly fire can escalate and the importance of year-round fire safety and wildfire preparedness.

What Are Evacuation Zones?

San Luis Obispo County public safety agencies have worked together to divide the county into pre-established evacuation zones. These evacuation zones will assist first responders in more quickly determining evacuation areas during an emergency. These new zones will also allow the public to easily identify if they are in an area under an Evacuation Warning or Evacuation Order. These zones are intended for emergencies that require large-scale evacuations.

Evacuation Zones vs. Protective Action Zones

These new evacuation zones are different than the Protective Action Zones (PAZ) established for emergencies at the Diablo Canyon Power Plant.  The 12 Protective Action Zones are much larger in size and are specifically designed for an emergency at Diablo Canyon when evacuation or shelter in place may be directed. The PAZs are still in place and would be used during a nuclear power plant emergency.  These new evacuation zones would be used during other emergencies

Know Your Evacuation Zones

To save time during an emergency, it is important for residents to know your evacuation zone in advance. Enter your address into the map tool below. The tool will tell you your zone name. It is important to write down the zone name and post it in a location easily accessible in an emergency.

Each zone has a description of the zone with the name, borders, current status, and additional information.  Additional information may also be provided. 

If an Evacuation Order or Warning is ordered, emergency officials will utilize alert and notification methods such as Wireless Emergency Alerts and Reverse 911 to notify residents which zones are affected. Knowing your evacuation zone will allow you to respond more quickly. 

How to Find Your Zone

1. Click here to find your zone. Use the search bar on the upper left hand side to type in your address. Click enter, or select the appropriate address from the drop-down list that will appear.
2. Your results will show your Protective Action Zone (PAZ) if you live in the Emergency Planning Zone for Diablo Canyon Power Plant (this will be a PAZ 1 - 12 number).
3. Your results will also show your Evacuation Zone for non-Diablo Canyon emergencies (wildfires, etc.)
4. The  map will also show you a visual of your zone for reference.  To zoom in, use the +/- sign on the top right.
5. Other questions? See the Frequently Asked Questions by clicking here.

In compliance with Health and Safety Code requirements, Notices to Destroy Weeds and Remove Debris were sent to the owners of 1,901 parcels identified for weed abatement this year. Many parcel owners and/or their contractors completed abatement prior to the inspection deadline. However, 170 parcels did not pass inspection and have been placed on the Contract Abatement List.

On July 17, 2025, the CCSD Board of Directors conducted a public hearing to consider any objections or protests related to the proposed abatement. After the hearing, the Board ordered the abatement of parcels containing offending weeds and debris pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 14900. The Board directed the Fire Chief to proceed with the abatement and adopted Resolution 37-2025, formally authorizing the abatement of the public nuisance under the Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program (FHFRP). ​On July 18, Paradise Tree Service, the CCSD’s contractor, began clearing the parcels listed on the Contract Abatement List. Work will continue through August 22.​

Resolution 37-2025 Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program Contract Abatement List

Click here to view the weed abatement standards outlined in Ordinance 01-2025.

The Cambria CSD website features a 'Monthly Stats' page with detailed incident reports for each month. You can view them by clicking here.

We encourage community members to stay involved and informed by:

• Attending a Fire Protection Committee meeting
• Attending a Board of Directors meeting to hear the Fire Chief’s report and department statistics
• Attending a Cambria Fire Safe Focus Group meeting to engage in local wildfire prevention efforts
• Follow the Cambria Fire Department on social media for real-time updates
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/cambriafiredepartment
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/Cambriafire
• Sign up to receive Cambria Fire Department news and updates, including information about the 2026 Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program (FHFRP). Simply scroll to the bottom of the Cambria Community Services District website, click "Join Our Mailing List," and subscribe. It’s the best way to receive important fire department news, public safety updates, and community alerts directly to your inbox.
• Becoming a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program Member by signing up here.
• Becoming a Neighborhood Liaison. Help keep Cambria informed and prepared by signing up as a Neighborhood Liaison. Liaisons play a vital role in sharing important updates and supporting community emergency preparedness. To get started, visit the Cambria Community Services District website, click on “How You Can Participate,” and complete the registration form. Your information will help strengthen local emergency communications and outreach efforts.

On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., I will be working out of the Cambria Veterans' Memorial Hall and would love to meet you and hear your thoughts on anything related to the Cambria Fire Department. 

We look forward to connecting with our residents in this new way and providing timely, helpful information to keep Cambria safe and prepared. Thank you for doing your part to keep Cambria safe. 

Stay informed, stay safe,

Michael Burkey
Fire Chief
Cambria Fire Department
mburkey@cambriacsd.org
(805) 927-6240