This past week has been dramatic and horrible for LA residents experiencing fires. The loss of life, property, pets, everything has been life-changing. People blame the power companies, the Mayor, the Governor, and everyone else for this calamity. Yes, they probably should have done more to stop it. However, if you want to know who to blame, it’s the residents. When you live in So. Cal., you know fire, and Santa Ana winds are a constant of the environment.

I grew up in the San Fernando Valley and saw many, many fires in that time. I think growing up around all those fires influenced my decision to become a wildland firefighter. I now live in Idaho where there are also many fires. Over the years, I learned something important. To keep your home, life, and belongings, you need to be proactive with your surroundings. Clean the area of old debris, junk, and vegetation that can help the fire move closer to your home. (Courtesy graphic National Fire Protection Association.) This site explains how to easily make your home more apt to make it through a fire. There is always going to be drought. There is always going to be wind. Still, there doesn’t always have to be fuel near your home to burn.

It doesn’t matter if you are rich, popular, or important. Your home will burn if you don’t make it fires safe. Not only are you providing a ‘no’ burn area, you are helping your community, and the firefighters stay safer. Here is an example of what ‘ladder fuels’ are and how they work. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_ladder. Fires need essential elements to burn. They need oxygen, fuel, and a heat source. If you take any of these away, there will be no fire. The easiest way to stop a fire in its tracks is to remove the fuel. Remove vegetation that easily burns, has a natural affinity to ignite like Juniper or other oil producing plants. According to this website: https://www.kensingtonfire.org/drought-tolerant-fire-resistant-and-highly-flammable-plants.

These are plants you should plant with extreme caution if you live in any fire area. I guess the most important message I am trying to get out here is, yes, it can happen to you. For it not to happen to you, you have to live with a plan. Roofing, siding, vegetation, sprinkler systems, and awareness. Older homes in So. Ca. were built with composition roofs. They burn. They are also expensive to replace so do the next best thing. Keep it clear of debris like leaves, branches, etc. that will burn. Keep the rain gutters clean.

A lot of people think because they live in a city, they are safe. That isn’t the case as many found out this past week. Houses are close together and fire can jump from one to another. That’s why keeping vegetation at a minimum is a plus. Just because it is green doesn’t mean it won’t burn. It doesn’t take long for a green bush to be dried out from the heat around it. It can then burst into flame and then burn everything around it.

Everyone is talking about climate change and how it contributed to the situation that caused these fires. Well, maybe somewhat. I think it is that more people are building into fire areas. They are not looking at what they are using to build with or their landscaping.

My prayers go out to all these unfortunate victims of these fires. Hopefully, something good will come out of it all for future fire management.