The coastal communities of Sausalito and Viña del Mar share strikingly similar climates, terrain, and challenges, from hillside/urban interfaces to earthquakes, recurring wildfires and coastal weather conditions and drought. In 2022 and 2024, wildfires ravaged the countryside in and around Viña del Mar, where they suffered tremendous losses of life and property, just as California has experienced.
After the 2022 wildfire in Chile, the VDM Ops Council initiated a series of exchanges via Zoom between Marin’s Office of Emergency Management, the Southern Marin Fire Department (SMFD) and fire fighters from Chile. The SMFD shared their Disaster Preparedness Plan, best practices and the promise to collaborate in the future.
After the February 2024 fire in Chile, the VDM Ops Council invited 3 fire fighters, (Bomberos in Spanish) from the greater Viña del Mar region, to join the delegation of eight women that came in September. The Bomberos stayed with local SMFD fire fighters, rotating between three stations. They “shadowed” the local teams, slept at their quarters, and participated in best practices training in fire management, disaster preparedness and safety techniques.
Chilean and local fire fighters also gave informative presentations to the AGEP group as well as Sausalito dignitaries, on the wildfires that ravaged both California and Chile in recent years, and how both regions are adapting to new challenges due to climate change.
The Sausalito–Viña del Mar sister city relationship runs deep. Now, we’re bringing that bond to life right in the heart of downtown Sausalito. The Viña del Mar Stairs project will transform the Excelsior Stairs into a vibrant public mural celebrating our two cities’ enduring connection. Read more about the project and how you can help make it happen →
