| Due to the 2003 wild fires that burned in Southern California, I want to take this time to provide you with information on what you can do to make your property “fire safe.” Residents who own homes in the Urban-Wildland Interface area (homes adjacent to wildland areas) can take precautions to protect themselves from the threat of devastating wildfires.
Wildfires often begin unnoticed. As seen through recent news coverage, they spread quickly, igniting brush, trees and homes. Add strong winds, dry brush and periods with little or no rainfall and a wildfire can jump from a burning hillside and race through a community within a matter of minutes. Reduce your risk by preparing now.
Here are some tips to follow:
- Clear all flammable vegetation within a minimum 130-feet radius of your home. Sloped areas should be cleared further.
- Remove seedlings and scrub growth at the base of tree trunks.
- Keep your grass short and discourage underbrush from growing along the edges of your safety zone. Clean up all leaves, fallen needles and other dead vegetation.
- Provide a clear space around your chimney of at least 10 feet by removing all tree limbs and any dead branches that hang over your roof.
- For large lots, vegetation more than 100 free from the home should be thinned and dead vegetation removed.
- Clean your gutters, eaves and roofs – especially during hot, dry weather. Old leaves and pine needles cause fires to spread.
- Stack firewood away from your home.
- Maintain a clear space of 10 feet around liquid propane gas tanks. Install protection posts around liquid propane tanks.
q What To Do If A Wildfire Strikes
ü Wear protective clothing such as sturdy shoes, cotton or woolen clothing, long pants and long-sleeved shirt, gloves and handkerchief to protect your face.
ü Back your car in the garage, heading out with windows closed and the keys in the ignition.
ü Close the garage door but leave it unlocked; disconnect the automatic garage door opener in case of power failure.
ü Place valuable documents and family mementos inside the car in the garage for a quick departure, if necessary.
ü Make plans for your pets in case you must evacuate, most shelters do not accept pets.
ü Keep a flashlight and portable radio with you at all times.
ü Move combustible yard furniture away from the house and store it in the garage.
ü Connect the garden hose to outside water spigots.
ü Assemble in advance a disaster supply kit with items you may need if advised to evacuate.
ü Listen to your local news for reports and evacuation information.
Remember when advised to evacuate, do so immediately and follow the instruction of local officials. | 
