They say it never rains in Southern California. News flash: It does! We did have two very wet Winters; however, it's now hot because of the Summer weather. California is known for its intense wildfires, which burn acres and acres of land due to careless people. A small percentage of fires start accidentally.
This year, about 763,000 acres have burned, and homeowners had to evacuate as they left their homes behind to be destroyed in the fires.
Do you live in any of the following cities that are usually fire-prone?
- Los Angeles
- Santa Rosa
- San Diego
- Malibu
- Santa Barbara
- Redding
- Napa
- Sacramento
- San Bernardino
- Paradise
- Oakland
- Santa Clarita
- Calabasas
- Yorba Linda
- Montecito
It's good for you if you don't live in the cities listed. Whether you do or not, staying informed of how you can protect your family, pets, and home from fires is always good.
- Clear Vegetation: Maintain a defensible space by clearing dry grass, leaves, and other flammable materials within at least 30 to 100 feet of your home.
- Trim Trees: Keep tree branches at least 10 feet away from your home and other trees. Remove any dead or overhanging branches.
- Remove Dead Plants: Clear out dead vegetation, trees, and shrubs that could fuel a fire.
- Roofing: Install a fire-resistant roof using metal, tile, or Class A shingles.
- Siding: Use fire-resistant materials like stucco, brick, or fiber-cement siding.
- Decks and Fences: Build decks and fences with fire-resistant materials, and avoid connecting wooden fences directly to your home.
- Choose Fire-Resistant Plants: Use plants with high moisture content that are less likely to ignite, such as succulents or hardwood trees.
- Create Fuel Breaks: Use rock, gravel, or stone paths to create fuel breaks that can slow fire spread.
- Maintain a Green Lawn: Keep your lawn short-watered and mowed to reduce fire risk.
- Clean Gutters: Regularly clean gutters and roofs of dry leaves, pine needles, and other debris.
- Cover Vents: Install metal mesh screens over attic vents to prevent embers from entering your home.
- Seal Gaps: Seal any gaps in your home’s exterior, such as cracks or wall holes, to prevent embers from entering.
- Irrigation: Install and maintain an automatic irrigation system to hydrate your landscape.
- Roof Sprinklers: Consider installing roof sprinklers that can be activated during a wildfire to keep the roof and surrounding areas wet.
- Evacuation Routes: Plan and practice evacuation routes with your family.
- Emergency Kit: Prepare an emergency kit with essential supplies, such as food, water, medications, and important documents.
- Communication Plan: Establish a communication plan with family members if you get separated during an evacuation.
- Double-Pane Windows: Use double-pane or tempered glass windows, which are more heat-resistant.
- Fire-Resistant Doors: Install solid, fire-resistant doors, especially for the garage, to reduce the risk of fire spreading into your home.
- Stay Informed and Connected
- Sign Up for Alerts: Sign up for local emergency alerts to receive real-time information about wildfire risks in your area.
- Monitor Weather Conditions: Monitor local weather conditions, especially during fire season.
- Community Firebreaks: Collaborate with neighbors to create community-wide firebreaks and defensible spaces.
- Firewise Communities: Join or start a Firewise USA® community, which focuses on reducing wildfire risks through collective efforts.
Implementing these strategies can significantly reduce the risk of wildfire damage to your home and improve your chances of staying safe during fire season.