The weather is hot. Trees and brush are dry or dead. It’s wildfire season. Is your home at risk? If you live in a loft in downtown L.A., probably not. But if there’s wildland around your neighborhood, it’s better to play it safe.
A community with a combination of developed and undeveloped land is called an “intermix area” by firefighters. Homes here are vulnerable. Find out if you live within a High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as determined by the L.A. Fire Department, on their website at http://lafd.org/brush/zone.htm .
By state law, you must maintain a defensible space of 100 feet around your home. That means reducing potential fuel, which will give firefighters a better chance to contain a fire on your property. Leave wide spaces between plants and remove plants from around trees to prevent fire from spreading quickly. Trim all tree branches at least ten feet around chimneys and eight feet above the ground. Remove dead branches and plants. The Cal Fire website has a useful guide: http://1.usa.gov/77gtm
Create an even safer zone 30 feet around your home. Remove all potential fuel, such as flammable shrubs and vines. Store propane and firewood outside the 30 foot perimeter. Keep your roof and gutters free of dead leaves and pine needles. Don’t burn trash or debris. Also, make sure your house number is clearly visible from the street so first responders can find you quickly.
If you’re building a new home near wildland, make it safer from the start. Use fire resistant materials like tile, stucco or brick rather than wood on the exterior. Install electrical lines underground if possible. Cover your chimney outlet with half-inch steel mesh or smaller. Landscape with drought-tolerant, fire-resistant native plants. Be sure you have access to an emergency water supply, from a nearby fire hydrant or even your own swimming pool.
Pay attention to news about potential or actual fires. The National Weather Service will issue a Fire Weather Watch if weather conditions will occur in the next 12-72 hours which increase the risk of fire in your area. A Red Flag Warning means the conditions will occur within 24 hours.
If there’s a wildfire near your area, be prepared to evacuate. Close all openings, like pet doors, to your home. Fill pools, tubs and garbage cans with water. Shut off the main gas valve – a professional will need to turn it back on later. Back your car into the driveway, facing the road. Put all your pets in one room so you can gather them quickly. If you receive an evacuation order, follow it. Don’t try to “tough it out” and become one more person first responders need to rescue.
For more information, click on the “Wildfires” tab on this site, or go to the California Dept. or Forestry and Fire Protection website at http://fire.ca.gov.
