Atascadero Fire & Emergency Services

08/29/2026

Just a reminder, smoke from the Timber Fire & newer Plaskett Fire both in Big Sur is heavy in SLO County today

08/26/2026

https://www.facebook.com/100064739976843/posts/1539732211528097/?mibextid=wwXIfr

⚠️ TRAFFIC ACCIDENT - NORTHBOUND EL CAMINO REAL CLOSED AT PALOMAR

UPDATE 9:14 am: Road is now open!

Please be advised the Atascadero Police Department has closed El Camino Real at Palomar due to vehicle traffic accident at 8115 El Camino Real. The Northbound portion of ECR is blocked. The closure should be for about one hour. Please avoid this area in your morning commute. Updates will be made to this post once the road has opened.

08/26/2026

🚒 Reminder: Don’t Call 911 for Smoke Alone 🚒
Smoke from the Timber Fire in Big Sur is drifting into Atascadero and nearby areas, leading to more calls about “smoke in the air.” We appreciate the concern, but smoke alone isn’t always an emergency during wildfire season.
Please don’t call 911 if:

You smell smoke but don’t see flames.
There’s haze from known or distant fires.
You see smoke on the horizon with no immediate threat.

Do call 911 if:

You see flames.
You see a nearby smoke column.
A fire is spreading or threatening structures.
Anyone is in danger.

Check local alerts or official channels if you’re unsure.
Keeping 911 lines clear ensures responders can reach real emergencies quickly.
Thank you for helping keep our community safe!

08/14/2026

https://www.facebook.com/AtascaderoCity/posts/pfbid0pd62vmcrc6Sv4jzCfmjRbX7jqViPg6zXfUMj1r3TUx4Q1XbR6Nr79txGUC9W2etGl

⚠️ POWER OUTAGE NOTICE

UPDATE (8.14 at 3:06 pm): Power fully restored at City Hall, however, will remain closed for the remainder of the day.

UPDATE (8.14 at 1:11 pm): Colony Park Community Center now has power!

(Initial Post) City Hall and the Colony Park Community Center are currently without power and will be closed until the power is restored. PG&E is currently working to restore power, with an estimated restoration time of 1:15 PM.

Please stay tuned to this page for updates. We appreciate your patience and understanding! For information on the outage, please click here and add Atascadero to the address bar:

https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/outage-tools/outage-map/

07/03/2026

Today we celebrate the incredible career of Captain Tom Birkenfeld after 30 years of service to the Atascadero community. Captain Birkenfeld began as a reserve firefighter with Atascadero Fire in 1996 before being hired full-time in 2000. Over the years, he has made significant contributions to various programs including the North County Urban Search & Rescue Team, firefighter health & safety, fleet management and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) maintenance.

Captain Birkenfeld has been an exemplary member of the department and we will miss him greatly! Congratulations, Captain Birkenfeld on a well-earned retirement! We are grateful for your service!

06/29/2026

💥🔥ALL FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL IN ATASCADERO 💥🔥

🚫 NO Fireworks Means NO Fireworks in Atascadero! 🚫

As you celebrate this Fourth of July, please remember that all fireworks are prohibited within the City of Atascadero—including Safe & Sane fireworks.

While Safe & Sane fireworks may be legally purchased and possessed from other communities, they cannot be lit or used anywhere within Atascadero city limits.

With our high wildfire risk, even one spark can have devastating consequences. Help protect our community, our neighbors, and our first responders by leaving the fireworks to the professionals.

Celebrate safely, celebrate responsibly, and have a happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸

Questions? Contact the Atascadero Police Department at (805) 461-5051.

06/17/2026

🔥 A Message from Atascadero Fire & Emergency Services 🔥
As we head into the summer season, we want to remind our community that all fireworks— including “safe and sane” varieties—are illegal within the City of Atascadero.
With our dry conditions and high wildfire risk, even small fireworks can spark dangerous fires and threaten homes, wildlife, and our community.
Please help keep Atascadero safe:
• Do not purchase, use, or possess fireworks within city limits
• Report fireworks activity by calling our non-emergency line
• Celebrate safely using approved alternatives like glow sticks, LED wands, or attending local professional shows
Thank you for doing your part to protect our community!
Stay safe, Atascadero. ❤️🔥
— Atascadero Fire & Emergency Services

06/03/2026

Big things are happening in Atascadero! Join us for the groundbreaking of our Public Safety Facilities Project — a voter-approved investment in Emergency Services that protect our community every day.

📅 Monday, June 8, 2026
⏰ 3:00 p.m.
📍 Fire Station No. 1 — 6005 Lewis Ave

Come meet your firefighters and police officers, check out the new fire engine, join us for conversation, and celebrate this milestone with us. All are welcome!

🔗 Learn more: www.atascadero.org/PSFProject

05/27/2026

Honoring the Service and Legacy of Fire Chief Michael Paul McCain

Atascadero Fire & Emergency Services is saddened to announce the passing of our former Fire Chief, Michael Paul McCain of Atascadero, California, who passed away peacefully on May 17, 2026.

Mike McCain began his career with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department as a firefighter. He later joined the Atascadero Fire Department in 1971, where he rose through the ranks and eventually retired as Fire Chief in 2000. He was deeply proud of his service and the friendships he built throughout his career.

Chief McCain’s legacy with our department was one of building up strong leaders. Those hired under his tenure went on to be Chief Officers at many surrounding departments including Templeton, San Miguel, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Five Cities, Atascadero State Hospital, Paso Robles, Diablo Canyon and Santa Barbara County Fire. To list all his accomplishments professionally and personally would likely take up a book.

Atascadero Fire will lead a procession with Mike’s family from Chapel of the Roses to Pine Mountain Cemetery in Atascadero on Friday May 29th for the graveside service beginning at 11 am. The family invites you to wear a Hawaiian themed shirt or dress. Mike enjoyed bright colors and felt that shorts are always appropriate attire.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to be made in Mikes name to the Angelman Syndrome Foundation https://angelman.org/ways-to-donate/ . Mike’s grandson Cody has Angelman Syndrome, and this foundation was close to Mikes heart.

05/20/2026

🚒🔥DEADELINE FOR W**D ABATEMENT IS JUNE 1 🔥🚒
If you received a letter in April identifying your property as a current or future potential hazard, we will reinspect your property after the deadline. If you're compliant no further action is taken, if a violation is still present, we will notify the property owner by either staking or hanging a flourescent orange tag