‘Tis the season, and I’m not talking about the holidays; unfortunately, there seems to be an annual trend of wildfires igniting and spreading increasingly throughout the autumn and winter months. Although I’ve lived in Southern California all of my life, I honestly was not accustomed to hearing about–or at least, paying attention to–wildfires breaking out on such a large scale. It wasn’t until 2017, when those such as the Thomas Fire (which, at the time, grew to be the largest fire in California history), broke out that I realized the chances of wildfires occurring are much larger now that climate change, droughts, and winds are contributors that have become undeniably stronger with every passing year.
I live in Oxnard, a city filled with both buildings and fields. Because most of the land is flat, there’s not much brush to really pose a threat when it comes to the winds sparking a fire. But there are plenty of other cities and areas, not only in California, but in many other states and countries where wildfires are definitely possible and, by a terrible twist of luck, bound to happen. Wildfires are not a surprise anymore. They seem almost normal now, which is the unfortunate reality we in California must live with. Some of us are completely safe from fires, while others are near or right in the middle of them. Whether you fear your home will be the target of the next wildfire, or you just want to be prepared, these tips will definitely be of help.
Lower the risk of your house catching fire: The National Geographic website claims that “fires are often preventable, because many originate from human error,” and it’s true. Fires can be ignited by a campfire that’s been put out inadequately, a cigarette that’s still warm, or someone who misfired for a gender reveal (no specific event mentioned *cough*). Not all fires are sparked this way, but even so, we can play a huge part when we take the proper steps to prevent them. The most obvious ways to prevent fires are to make sure you properly put out any you ignite, whether they’re for barbecues or camping sites, and never leave one unattended before it is extinguished. When it comes to protecting your entire house, be sure to cut the lower branches of any nearby trees at least 8 feet above the ground and keep your area free from dead/dying branches. If you have a chimney, keep it in check and clean as well as any rain gutters. If possible, give your house some room–about 30 feet minimum–from nearby vegetation so in the case that a fire breaks out close to home, you’ll have some time to analyze the situation. There are plenty of other steps you can take, and as long as you follow them, you’ll be saving yourself from a handful of troubles and worries. I mean, we’ve all heard Smokey Bear say “Only you can prevent wildfires” at some point, right? So please do your part and help keep your home and community safe.
If you need to evacuate, do these things: Hopefully by this time, you’ve followed the previous steps, so you would think that all you’d have to do now is grab your emergency bag and run. The whole point of an evacuation is to escape the danger, but you have to keep in mind that you’re also leaving your home. Before you head out the door, there’s still a few simple yet crucial things you must do to ensure it’s as safe as can be from the fire. First, make sure you close all possible openings in the house through which debris and air can enter such as windows and vents. Shut off all gas/propane supplies as well to avoid an explosion and remove any combustible items from your yard including firewood, barbecue grills, etc. If possible, fill large vessels such as pools and garbage cans with water to slow the chance of a fire spreading.
These are just a few major tips to remember and prepare before or during a fire, regardless of where you live. Although they may seem pretty obvious, sometimes we just need to refresh our minds on what to do in case of an emergency. Hopefully an emergency doesn’t affect you, but if it ever does, as long as you did your part of prevention and preparation, you’ll have a smooth journey to safety.