WHY?

The warm, dry climate that has attracted millions of people to California brings with it the potential for disaster each summer and fall.

Almost every year since 1982, wildfires in California have resulted in either gubernatorial proclamations of a state of emergency or presidential declarations of a major disaster.

Among the most prominent is the Southern California Wildfire Siege of 1993. Twenty-one separate fires raged in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties from October 26 through November 7. Before the more than 15,000 firefighters utilized in the largest mutual-aid call out in California history could bring the fires under control, the blazes had caused four deaths and 162 injuries, destroyed more than 1,200 structures and consumed almost 200,000 acres.

The reverse side of this Focus Sheet features suggestions that will help you reduce much of the risk of death, injury and property losses caused by brush fires.

Reduce your risk of fire-related death, injury or property damage by conducting a fire hazard hunt and taking the following steps to make the environment outside and inside your home:

Outside Your Home

• Clear dry grass, brush and leaves within 30 feet of structures. Use ice plants and other fire-resistant plants to landscape.
• Clear all debris from the roof, gutters and spouts.
• Remove dead limbs located over roofs and all limbs within 10 feet of chimneys.
• Prune the lower limbs within six feet of the ground on all trees 18 feet high or taller to keep ground fires from spreading to trees.
• Thin out heavily wooded areas.
• Remove weak, dead and leaning trees.
• Vary the heights of plants, shrubs and trees and provide adequate spacing between them.
• Relocate firewood at least 30 feet from all structures and 10 feet from vegetation.
• Keep plants, shrubs and trees away from power lines.
• Keep gas and propane tanks at least 30 feet from all structures and 10 feet from hazards.
• Replace combustible roofing materials with noncombustible materials.
• Cover chimneys and stovepipes with non-flammable screens with mesh 1/2 inch or less.
• Box and enclose roof eaves that extend beyond the exterior walls.
• Cover all attic and ridge vents with non-flammable 1/2-inch mesh screens.
• Make sure the number of your house is clearly visible at the curb side.

Smoke detectors

• Make sure smoke detectors are made and certified by an approved lab.
• Install smoke detectors on ceilings outside each bedroom and on every level.
• Test smoke detectors at least once per month.
• Change batteries every six months.

Fire Extinguishers

• Ensure that fire extinguishers are approved by an independent testing lab.
• Place fire extinguishers in easily accessible locations.
• Teach responsible family members where they are located and how to use them.
• Remember the word P-A-S-S when using the extinguisher:

Pull the pin.
Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the trigger.
Sweep the chemical side-to-side to extinguish the fire.

Chimney Sprinklers

Chimney sprinklers also are a valuable tool. Contact your local fire department for more information.

• Develop an evacuation plan to use if fire occurs. Your plan should include:
• A floor plan with all escape routes
• Easily accessible exits for young children, seniors and persons with disabilities (locate their rooms as close to exits as possible.)
• A list of valuables to take in an emergency (store them together in one location if possible.)
• A place to reunite after evacuation

If a fire occurs while you're inside, remember the following:

• Call 911; tell the dispatcher where you are.
• Feel the top and bottom of the door with the back of your hand before exiting. Cautiously open the door if it's cool. Do not exit if the door is hot. Try your alternate exit instead. Repeat this step at every closed door.
• Close doors behind you when evacuating to slow down flames, smoke and heat.
• Help young children, seniors and persons with disabilities evacuate.
• Close the door and stay in the room if fire, smoke or heat are blocking both escape routes.
• Keep smoke and fumes out by stuffing cracks around doors and vents with sheets, blankets, etc.
• Open a window if no smoke is entering the room; place a sheet or cloth outside to signal for help.

Sources included the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection publication "Fire Safe--Inside and Out".  Hazards are not limited to the listed topics and can occur at any time.

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