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Three Weeks Left: Free Fire Protection from MOFD
If you live in Moraga, Orinda, or Canyon, your fire district is currently giving away three home-hardening upgrades: no contractor required to apply, no inspection required, and the application forms take about five minutes. Installation of materials is your responsibility. The deadline is June 30, 2026. Here is what is available and exactly how to claim it.
- Free stainless-steel gutter guards (HomeSafe brand, shipped to your door)
- Up to $1,000 reimbursement per parcel for ember-resistant vent replacements you purchase and install
- Free 1/16" wildfire defense mesh to screen existing vents
Orinda city residents who meet the eligibility criteria can stack MOFD's $1,000 with the City of Orinda's $1,500 grant for up to $2,500 combined. Details on the stack are in the full guide below.
How to Claim the Free Gutter Guards
Dry needles in a gutter are one of the most reliable ember ignition points on a Lamorinda home. Stainless-steel gutter guards block the debris before it accumulates. MOFD will ship them to you at no cost.
- Step 1: Measure your total linear feet of gutter using the tool at homesafegutterguard.com
- Step 2: Fill out the MOFD Gutter Guard order form (name, address, linear footage, phone)
- Step 3: MOFD confirms your order. Guards ship in approximately 30 days, pending material availability.
Materials only. Installation is your cost. The guards must be installed at the delivery address within six months of receipt.
How to Claim the $1,000 Vent Reimbursement
Vents are the second of the Big Three home-hardening upgrades. An ember finds an unscreened attic vent, lands on insulation, and the fire starts from inside the wall. The fix is a vent rated to California Building Code Section 7A (OSFM Category 8165). MOFD reimburses up to $1,000 per parcel for the purchase price and sales tax of qualifying vents.
- Step 1: Verify your chosen vents are on the approved list at OSFM BML Category 8165 before you buy anything. Your receipt must match the listing exactly.
- Step 2: Buy the approved vents. Keep itemized receipts showing product name, quantity, price, and sales tax separately.
- Step 3: Install them (or hire a contractor at your own cost ($30–75/vent is typical)).
- Step 4: Submit the MOFD reimbursement form with: proof of residency, itemized receipts, and the OSFM listing printout for each product. Deadline: June 30.
Not ready to replace vents? MOFD also ships free 1/16" wildfire defense mesh to supplement existing vents. Mesh order form →
What Proof You Need (Gather This First)
- Proof of residency: utility bill, property tax bill, or California driver's license at your property address
- Itemized vent receipts: product name, quantity, price, and sales tax as separate line items
- OSFM Category 8165 listing printout or screenshot for each vent model
- For gutter guards: total linear footage of gutters (measure before you submit)
Questions? MOFD Fuels Mitigation: (925) 258-4599 or Info@mofd.org · Monday–Friday 8 AM–5 PM (closed noon–1 PM)
→ Full guide: approved products, Orinda $2,500 stack, coverage table, and FAQ
Orinda Residents: You Can Stack to $2,500
If you live within Orinda city limits and meet at least one of the following criteria, you can combine MOFD's $1,000 vent reimbursement with the City of Orinda's $1,500 home hardening grant for a total of up to $2,500:
- A Fire Adapted Community (FAC) Assessment completed within the past year, or
- A compliance notice from MOFD dated August 16, 2022 or later, or
- Your neighborhood is a recognized Firewise USA community (40+ in the Moraga-Orinda area)
The City of Orinda approved the $1,500 amount on April 7, 2026. The formal program rollout through Fire Safe Moraga-Orinda is expected mid-summer 2026. Apply for the MOFD reimbursement first, then contact the City of Orinda directly to confirm the program is accepting applications under the new amount before applying for the city grant. → Full Orinda stacking details
Where to Start if You're New Here
The best first step is the Home Fire Readiness Score, a 10-minute self-assessment that tells you exactly where your home stands and what to prioritize. If vents and gutters are already in decent shape, the HFR Score will point you to the gaps that matter more.
- All four MOFD grant programs: chipper program and broom puller loan also available
- The Big Three: roof, vents, and defensible space, and the highest-priority moves for a Lamorinda home
- Gold Protocol: what to do each week through October
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Lamorinda Ready is a community education resource. This newsletter is for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, insurance, financial, or construction advice. Grant program details are based on MOFD's published program information as of June 2026. Verify current terms directly with MOFD before submitting applications. Always consult qualified professionals and official agencies (MOFD, your city building department, the California Department of Insurance) before making decisions about your home, safety, or insurance.
Lamorinda Ready
Practical resilience for Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda.
1480 Moraga Rd Ste C #188, Moraga, CA 94556