In one of Cal Fire’s recent weekly Fire Situation Reports, spokesman Daniel Berlant warned, “October is often the time when the state experiences the largest, most devastating wildfires.”
Cal Fire last week lifted its statewide outdoor burn ban as a result of the rains, but warned that there is still the possibility for wildland fires even with the cooler weather.
The 2012 fire season has seen more than 5,500 wildfires in Cal Fire’s jurisdiction, burning nearly 130,000 acres, compared to 2011 when there were 4,100 wildfires during the same time period that charred more than 55,000 acres, Cal Fire reported.
Lake County’s major wildland fire incidents this year included the Wye Fire, which burned 7,934 acres east of Clearlake Oaks in August; the Scotts Fire, which in September scorched 4,618 acres on Cow Mountain, west of Scotts Valley Road; and earlier this month, the 29 Fire, which burned 300 acres along Highway 29 south of Lower Lake.
South Lake County Fire Battalion Chief Mike Wink said fuels in the county are still very dry. “We still have the potential for significant wildland fires in the county.”
Because wildland fires are always a concern for Lake County, the Lake County Fire Chiefs Association is conducting an outreach effort to encourage residents to take simple steps to be prepared and to protect their lives and homes.
The chiefs point out that “seconds count” in such cases – and measures like defensible space and proper address signage can make all the difference when it comes to saving lives and property.
Using the Wye and Walker fires as primary examples, local fire chiefs are pointing to the importance of having adequate defensible space around homes and outbuildings.
A 2005 state law extended the defensible space clearance around homes and structures from 30 feet to 100 feet. More information about defensible space can be found at www.fire.ca.gov/communications/communications_firesafety_100feet.php .
At a community meeting in August, Northshore Fire Chief Jay Beristianos explained how that the Wye Fire burned up to several homes in the Spring Valley area – and then stopped before destroying them.
The reason, said Beristianos, was defensible space.
Defensible space is also important because, not just does it protect property, it has the potential to save lives, especially those of firefighters who may be called on to work at a fire scene.
In addition, during the Wye and Walker fires, Beristianos said local fire resources weren’t plentiful enough to be staged at each threatened home.
If the homes had proper defensible space, he said firefighters could move on to more critical areas with the confidence that the structures would be OK.
Then there is the matter of emergency responders being able to find people in times of emergency.
Lakeport Fire Chief Ken Wells, Beristianos and their fellow chiefs are urging community members to invest in proper address signage to help firefighters locate them.
Responding to 911 calls, when every moment is critical, can be hampered by lack of address signage at homes, or signage that is faded, peeling or otherwise difficult to see.
As a result, the Lake County Fire Chiefs Association is promoting a special “Reflect to Protect” sign that’s easy to see day or night.
Wink said South Lake County Fire has its own successful Reflect to Protect program for more than five years.
“It makes a big difference having that standardized signage out there so you know exactly where you are and where you’re going,” Wink said.
During a recent fire on Harrington Flat Road, Wink said he noticed a lot of the Reflect to Protect signs in place, which help make firefighters’ difficult work a little easier.
The signs, which cost $30 – including installation – are made locally, and can be delivered in about a week, according to local officials.
Wink said it’s so important to get the signs in place that if residents have financial hardships the district is willing to work with them to get the signage in place.
Area residents can go to their local fire district or download the application forms at www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Boards/AdvisoryBoard/lcfsc/reflect.htm .
Wells said anyone needing information on defensible space is invited to come by any local fire station.
For more information on preparing for wildland fires, visit www.readyforwildfire.org/ .
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.