As part of California Wildfire Preparedness Week, Chief Deputy Jon O’Brien joined with CAL Fire and partnering agencies at a press conference on May 4, 2026, at King Gillette Ranch in the City of Calabasas to highlight the importance of community readiness, resilience, and coordinated wildfire response ahead of heightened wildfire activity.
The event brought together leaders from CAL FIRE, the County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD) USDA Forest Service, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, California National Guard, California Highway Patrol, California Conservation Corps, and other local, State, and federal fire and emergency officials. Agency representatives spoke about wildfire preparedness, interagency collaboration, and the mission-ready resources staged across Southern California.
Wildfires are a year-round threat that requires constant vigilance and shared responsibility between government, communities, and residents. Community resilience is built on preparedness, coordinated response efforts, and proactive risk reduction, with home hardening and defensible space playing a critical role in preventing ember-driven home loss.
Residents can further reduce risk by creating and practicing their Ready! Set! Go! Wildfire Action Plan, maintaining emergency kits, and staying informed of weather and fire conditions. Ultimately, strong collaboration, clear communication, and ongoing community action are essential to improving safety and long-term resilience in the wildland-urban interface.
