Posts
All Comments
CAL FIRE firefighters are on high alert as gusty winds will increase the fire danger across much of Southern California. The National Weather Service issued a “Red Flag Warning” starting Thursday morning through Friday afternoon due to a moderate Santa Ana wind event. Gusty winds up to 50 mph are expected across many parts of Orange, Riverside and San Diego Counties. On Monday, April 15, CAL FIRE increased its firefighting staffing in Southern California and now those crews are prepared to respond to any new wildfires. CAL FIRE’s Southern California airtankers were scheduled to be staffed on April 22, but due to the elevated fire danger, they will be staffed today.
“Fire Season may only be beginning, but the potential for damaging wildfires exists this year due to our dry winter,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, director of CAL FIRE. “Everyone should be extra careful during this Red Flag Warning and ensure they are ready for a wildfire.”
CAL FIRE is asking everyone to be extra cautious during this Red Flag Warning and help prevent wildfires.
Here are some fire prevention tips:
• Don’t mow or trim grass on windy days
• Ensure campfires are completely extinguished
• Never pull your vehicle over in dry grass
• Make sure cigarette butts are properly extinguished.
CAL FIRE also encourages the public to prepare for wildfires by reviewing the “Ready, Set, Go!” procedures at www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
For more ways to help prevent and prepare for wildfires: fire.ca.gov.
The time has come for that annual ritual known as spring cleaning. Oh the fun, oh the joy, and for the outside at least, oh the necessity. For cleaning and sprucing up on the inside of your home, howtocleananything.com has this suggestion; “When spring cleaning or cleaning in general, break down your tasks into small pieces. Start with one room or even a small section of one room. This way you can see the progress and are not discouraged if distracted from the task.” This is also a good suggestion for clearing the defensible space around your property in compliance with Public Resources Code 4291. PRC 4291 is the law that mandates that properties be cleared 100 feet or to the property line.
An important step toward making your home fire safe and defensible is clearing that area of 100 feet. The 30 feet immediately surrounding your house is the area that requires the greatest reduction of flammable vegetation. The additional 70 feet of clearance is considered a fuel modification zone, which is used to reduce the vegetation around your home. Spacing between plants in this area improves the chances of stopping a wildfire before it destroys your home. The amount of spacing between plants depends on how steep the slope is and the size of the plants on your property. The spacing between the plants can help to reduce the intensity and spread of a wildland fire that may threaten your home and property while providing firefighters with the area needed to defend your home.
• Remove all flammable vegetation 30 feet from all structures.
• In an additional 70 feet, create a reduced fuel zone by spacing trees and plants from each other.
• Clear all needles and leaves from roofs, eaves and rain gutters.
• Trim branches six feet from the ground.
• Remove branches 10 feet from all chimneys.
• Use trimming, mowing and power equipment before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Never use lawn mowers in dry vegetation.
• Use a weed trimmer to cut down dry weeds and grass.
For more information on Defensible Space and 100 Foot Clearance, visit the CAL FIRE website at www.fire.ca.gov. or http://www.readyforwildfire.org/ Remember, defensible space is your responsibility and can help save your home.
CAl FIRE San Bernardino Unit Fire Crews from the Pilot Rock Conservation Camp were recently involved in heklping to improve the defensible space around some schools in the San Bernardino mountains around Lake Arrowhead. Read the story here... http://www.mountain-news.com/news/article_3c39cc7a-9cae-11e2-90cc-001a4bcf887a.html
