District News

Homeowners from Rolling Hills Estates, the Palos Verdes Peninsula and neighboring communities are invited to a free Firescaping Workshop on Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 6–8 p.m. at Rolling Hills Estates City Hall.

At the workshop, you will learn how to prepare your home and surroundings, and work with neighbors to reduce the risk of wildfires as summer approaches.

Hosted by West Basin Municipal Water District in partnership with the City of Rolling Hills Estates, Cal Water and the LA County Fire Department, this workshop will show you how fire-resistant landscaping and defensible space can significantly reduce and prevent wildfire damage.

Firescaping expert Douglas Kent, MS, MLA – a landscape contractor, educator and author with more than 40 years of experience – will lead the workshop discussion and answer all your questions. Kent is a nationally recognized firescaping authority, the author of eight books including the best-selling Firescaping: Protecting Your Home with a Fire-Resistant Landscape, and is known for translating fire science into clear and practical steps that homeowners can implement immediately.

What you’ll learn:

• How to create and maintain defensible space
• Which plants and materials are more fire-resistant
• Practical, affordable strategies to improve your home’s wildfire resilience
• The “First Five Feet” rule and why it matters
• What Zones 0, 1, and 2 are—and what should (and shouldn’t) be in each

The event is free and includes a complimentary dinner. The first 25 attendees will also receive a copy of Kent’s book and all participants will be entered into an opportunity drawing to win a water-saving rain barrel (winner must be able to take it home that night).

Come to learn, ask questions and leave with greater confidence in how to protect your home and property.

Registration is now open—reserve your spot today at www.WestBasinCA.gov/firescaping.