Proper steps can help firefighters
By Staff Report
California during the dry summer and fall months often experiences a number of wildfire blazes that can put in jeopardy the lives and property of its residents. This year’s fire season has hit the southern region of the state particularly hard. According to statistics provided by CAL FIRE, all the fires in its jurisdiction from Jan. 1 to July 6 have numbered 3,093 for a total acreage of 53,448. The same period last year had 2,106 fires for a total acreage of 18,294.
Morgan Hill Life asked City Councilmember Rich Constantine, a professional firefighter for San Jose, for his advice on fire safety in our city and how to prepare for a possible wildfire.
The Morgan Hill region is prone to wildfires in the hot summer and fall months. What factors influence this?
We have had very little rain this year, so the fuel (grass and other dry vegetation) has been drying for a much longer period. Also with the extreme heat we experienced earlier this month, it would not take much to have a small fire get out of hand very quickly. Topography can also influence fire behavior as well. Imagine, if you were to light a match and hold it parallel to the ground, the flame would move much more slowly up the match than if you were to tilt it up. That is the same effect hill topography has on fire.
What regions of the South Valley are especially prone to wildfires during the summer?
Any area with lots of fuel. Just look at the hills with their dry grass.
What steps should people take to protect their homes from wildfires?
If your home is in an area near dry fuels, it is important to make a defensible area of 100 feet around it. If you have mature trees near your house, make sure to remove any dead leaves or branches from around your it and the roof. Also, trim trees back, especially if you have limbs that hang over the house or are within 10 feet of a chimney. And if you have a roof made of combustible material, such as wood shake, I would suggest you replace it with a fire-resistant one.
If a wildfire does start, what should people do to protect their life and property?
Taking the steps I previously mentioned should make your house safer and easier to defend by the fire department. But if a fire should break out and you are told to evacuate, you should do so immediately. Leave the fire fighting to the professionals. They will do everything they can to protect your property. Remember: things can be replaced, people cannot. I also recommend that you put a “Go Kit” together. A Go Kit is a small container you have packed with important documents (such as passport, birth certificates, and deeds) that you can just grab and go at a moment’s notice.
HOW TO STAY SAFE
The United States Fire Administration’s website also provided information on how to prepare for a possible wildfire event:
• Contact your local fire department, health department, or forestry office for information on fire laws.
• Make sure that fire vehicles can get to your home. Clearly mark all driveway entrances and display your name and address.
• Report hazardous conditions that could cause a wildfire.
• Teach children about fire safety. Keep matches out of their reach.
• Post fire emergency telephone numbers.
• Ensure adequate accessibility by large fire vehicles to your property.
• Plan several escape routes away from your home – by car and by foot.
• Talk to your neighbors about wildfire safety. Plan how the neighborhood could work together after a wildfire. Make a list of your neighbors’ skills such as medical or technical. Consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs such as elderly or disabled persons. Make plans to take care of children who may be on their own if parents can’t get home.
