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Maya Ortiz

Maya Ortiz is an urban resilience planner and wildfire mitigation specialist with fifteen years designing neighborhood hazard plans and defensible-space programs across Southern California. Based in Los Angeles, California, she has led community-driven neighborhood plan development for high-risk foothill communities, authored municipal guidance on home hardening and fuel reduction, and coordinated multi-agency wildfire exercises. Her expertise includes neighborhood evacuation routing, vegetation management, and community risk assessment. Recognized by the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, Maya consults with city councils and neighborhood councils.

Creating Firebreaks Around Homes in Los Angeles County
Wildfire Safety

Creating Firebreaks Around Homes in Los Angeles County

Creating defensible space and well-designed firebreaks has become one of the most important wildfire-safety steps for households across Los Angeles County. With hotter summers, ...

Maya Ortiz
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The Complete 72-Hour Emergency Checklist for LA Families
Emergency Checklist

The Complete 72-Hour Emergency Checklist for LA Families

Preparing for the first 72 hours after a disaster is one of the most important steps an LA family can take. Earthquakes, wildfires, power ...

Maya Ortiz
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How to Build a Strong Neighborhood Response Team in Your Los Angeles Block
Neighborhood Plan

How to Build a Strong Neighborhood Response Team in Your Los Angeles Block

Creating a neighbourhood response team is one of the most effective ways for Los Angeles residents to prepare for emergencies. With the city facing ...

Maya Ortiz
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How CERT Volunteers Help Strengthen LA Communities
Community Preparedness

How CERT Volunteers Help Strengthen LA Communities

In a city as dynamic and disaster-prone as Los Angeles, community resilience depends not only on professional responders but also on ordinary residents who ...

Maya Ortiz
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How to Retrofit Older Homes for Wildfire Protection in LA
Community Preparedness

How to Retrofit Older Homes for Wildfire Protection in LA

Retrofitting older homes in Los Angeles has become one of the most important steps homeowners can take to reduce wildfire risk. With hotter, longer ...

Maya Ortiz
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What to Pack in Your Earthquake Survival Kit in Los Angeles
Emergency Checklist

What to Pack in Your Earthquake Survival Kit in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA – Living in Southern California means earthquakes are part of life. While scientists can’t predict exactly when the next big one ...

Maya Ortiz
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Mapping Evacuation Routes for Hillside Communities in LA County
Neighborhood Plan

Mapping Evacuation Routes for Hillside Communities in LA County

As hillside communities across Los Angeles County continue to face increasing wildfire threats, the importance of well-planned evacuation routes has never been greater. For ...

Maya Ortiz
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The Role of Defensible Space in Protecting LA Neighborhoods
Wildfire Safety

The Role of Defensible Space in Protecting LA Neighborhoods

Well-planned defensible space has become one of the most important tools for reducing wildfire risk in Los Angeles. As hotter, wind-driven fires push deeper ...

Maya Ortiz
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Essential Steps to Build a Car Emergency Kit for Los Angeles Disasters
Emergency Checklist

Essential Steps to Build a Car Emergency Kit for Los Angeles Disasters

Los Angeles is known for its heavy traffic, but during disasters like earthquakes, wildfires, and extreme weather, those congested freeways can turn into long-duration ...

Maya Ortiz
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What Every Los Angeles Neighborhood Should Include in Its Safety Plan
Neighborhood Plan

What Every Los Angeles Neighborhood Should Include in Its Safety Plan

Living in a city as dynamic and diverse as Los Angeles means enjoying vibrant communities, cultural richness, and year-round sunshine. However, it also means ...

Maya Ortiz
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