Southern Californians do not need to see the flames burning Los
Angeles County this week to know that the most dangerous part of
the fire season has arrived. Windy weather after a dry summer
produces ideal conditions for wildfires, and people should take
every precaution to prevent fires and reduce the dangers when
blazes erupt.
Southern Californians do not need to see the flames burning Los Angeles County this week to know that the most dangerous part of the fire season has arrived. Windy weather after a dry summer produces ideal conditions for wildfires, and people should take every precaution to prevent fires and reduce the dangers when blazes erupt.
Area residents cannot change the geography and climate that contribute to fire risk, but they can take steps to minimize the danger. Part of the preparation involves bolstering firefighting resources, as with the welcome return of the Canada-based Martin Mars tanker to Lake Elsinore over the weekend.
The large, World War II seaplane can carry more than twice as much water or fire retardant as other conventional firefighting planes – an enormous asset when quick response can make the difference between a contained blaze and a firestorm.
But residents also have a role to play in fire safety. State law generally requires homeowners to create a 100-foot defensible space around homes in rural, fire-prone areas. Clearing away dead brush and vegetation near houses removes potential fuel and can slow the spread of flames.
That simple strategy works: The U.S. Forest Service’s July report on the 2007 Grass Valley fire found that firefighters quickly stopped the spread of fire in areas where people had thinned out vegetation and removed dead trees. But the fire spread rapidly where buildings were surrounded by dense vegetation.
And everyone can ease fire danger by practicing careful behavior. People should avoid any activity, such as carelessly tossing a cigarette away, that could ignite a damaging blaze.
Fires have destroyed thousands of homes in Southern California during October in recent years. Residents should not ignore that history’s clear lesson: Preparedness and caution cost far less than disaster.
This editorial first appeared in the Riverside Press-Enterprise on Wednesday.
