Preparing for fire can save lives and homes
After nine days of blazing, firefighters were able to contain
the Lick Fire, which ignited in Henry W. Coe State Park on Labor
Day. By the time the fire had died down enough for workers to allow
it to smolder out, it was estimated 50,000 acres had burned.
Imagine a football field
– which is one acre long – and times that by 50, 000.
Preparing for fire can save lives and homes
After nine days of blazing, firefighters were able to contain the Lick Fire, which ignited in Henry W. Coe State Park on Labor Day. By the time the fire had died down enough for workers to allow it to smolder out, it was estimated 50,000 acres had burned. Imagine a football field – which is one acre long – and times that by 50, 000.
The cost of fighting the fire has been estimated near $8 million after it is completely out. More than 1,500 firefighters responded to the fire, including 11 from San Benito County.
The cause of the Lick Fire was due to an illegal debris burn, according to an investigation. In reality, while the debris burn may have started the fire, it was a number of factors that kept it going, including the dry conditions this year.
“In some degree we were fortunate because the Lick Fire happened in a remote area,” said Curt Itson, a battalion chief with CAL-Fire. “If something like this got into the San Juan Canyon, the amount of damages skyrockets.”
Fires can be unpredictable, according to firefighters.
“Sometimes fires start because they are purposefully set,” said Fred Cheshire, a Hollister fire chief . “Some are accidental and some happen completely by fluke. It can be something as simple as a bottle sitting next to the side of the road that heats up. You can be as prepared as you can be, but fire can still happen.”
What happened in Morgan Hill could just as easily happen in San Benito County, Cheshire said; especially with the wild land-urban interface that exists in this county.
Itson agreed.
“This year fuel moistures were near an all-time low,” Itson said. “Last week we had high temperatures in the 90s and 100s, and low humidity. Add to that winds that pushed the fire and it was a dangerous combination. Fortunately over the weekend we got fog and coastal winds and that really helped [with controlling the fire].”
But the dry conditions in the region won’t go away until the rainy season starts.
Weather can be a double-edged sword when it comes to fire, according to Cheshire.
“If it’s a very dry year the likelihood for fire increases,” Cheshire said. “But if we have a wet winter, then we experience more growth which can also lead to more fires.”
But the Lick Fire could likely have been prevented. The cause of the fire was man, not nature.
“When fires are caused by humans,” Itson said. “That’s when it’s most painful because preventative measures could have been taken.”
In Contrast to the Lick Fire was the Moonlight Fire in Plumas County, 200 miles north of San Francisco, which forced the evacuation of at least 500 homes around the town of Greenville.
“We’ve been pretty lucky in San Benito County this year,” Itson said.
There was one fire that ignited at the end of August when lightning struck a tree near Paicines. Firefighters had the blaze contained within days, though. Fire officials urge homeowners to take preventative measures to ensure that their homes are in safe, controlled environments, especially when they live close to rural areas.
One organization that is concerned with keeping the county safe from fire is the San Benito County Firesafe Council.
The Firesafe Council is a nonprofit coalition of public and private organizations that share a common vested interest in reducing losses from wildfire.
The organization was established in 2001 with the intention of promoting community awareness by working together to solve the problems related to wildfires: prevention of the loss of lives and structures, protection of the habitat and needs of wildlife, and preservation of the natural landscape.
The group’s main focus has been to provide educational materials and information to homeowners, businesses and public agencies to increase awareness of fire safety in San Benito County. The group makes presentations at local events such as the rodeo and the annual county fair.
During the public events they talk about vegetation and what can and cannot be planted to ensure fire safe homes. The council has also planted a fire safe garden at fire station #2. The garden is a living example of what types of plants can be installed to help safeguard one’s home from the threat of fire.
Shortly after the organization was established they started a residential chipper program, funded through state and federal grants. Through the program, homeowners cut and remove brush and the Firesafe Council provides a crew and chipper to chip the brush. The project has widespread support throughout the community and is essential in reducing hazardous vegetation in neighborhoods in the county.
There are other things that residents can do to protect their homes, Cheshire said.
“The key thing homeowners need to do is think about what could happen when the fire comes,” Cheshire said. “Clearing 30-100 feet of brush surrounding homes and landscaping is important too. Planting fire-resistant plants can also have an effect against fire.”
Another suggestion Cheshire had was keeping trees thinned and eliminating branches lower than 15 feet from the ground, especially if the branches hang over homes.
“Even during the winter,” Cheshire said, “Remove any limbs that may be near chimneys.”
It is also important to remove all combustible items from the proximity of homes, in order to create a buffer zone and better protect against the threat of fire.
“In the event you’re asked to evacuate, you need to do so,” Cheshire said. “The potential is always there for fire. I think with the Firesafe Council they’ve done an amazing job in keeping the community educated, especially with the San Juan Canyon. They’ve done an amazing amount of clean up in the canyon and made amazing efforts to educate the public in the hopes that we don’t have any overwhelming situations.”
Itson added if people are going to mow lawns, it’s important to mow in the early mornings. Also all outside burning is banned during the summer, so people shouldn’t be burning anything anytime.
For more information contact CAL-Fire 637-4475 or visit their Web site www.fire.ca.gov and click on fire info.
Preventative measures:
– Regularly clean roofs and gutters.
– Inspect chimneys at least twice per year. Clean them at least once per year. Keep the dampers in good working order.
– Install a smoke alarm on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms; test monthly and change the batteries at least once per year.
– Teach each family member how to use a fire extinguisher (ABC type) and make sure they know where it is kept.
– Keep a ladder that will reach the roof.
When threatened by fire:
– Take your Disaster Supplies Kit.
– Tell someone when you left and where you are going.
– Choose a route away from fire hazards.
– Close windows, vents, doors, blinds, or noncombustible window coverings.
– Shut off all utilities, if time permits.
– Move flammable furniture into the center of the home.
– Seal attic and ground vents with precut noncombustible coverings.
– Turn off propane tanks.
– Connect the garden hose to outside taps.
– Wet or remove shrubs within 15 feet of the home.
Tips courtesy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
