Fire Department readies for the current high threat of fire.
By Tracy Marcynzsyn/Special to The Malibu Times
Southern California’s drought conditions and the abundance of flammable brush, compounded with the possible added threat of illegal fireworks could spark another “Big One” in Malibu.
So, while hordes of people are set to celebrate Independence Day on Thursday, local Fire Department officials are stepping up staffing, adding patrol vehicles and extra water tenders in preparation for the threat of fires.
“On scene we have enough equipment to handle certain size fires,” said Capt. Bill Borthwick of the L.A. County Fire Department, Station 70.
But the question of whether Malibu can handle another big fire like the one that burnt to the coast in 1993, is a “loaded one,” said Borthwick.
However, “we are prepared for that,” Borthwick said. “The planning and procedures are in place for large fires-we’ve been doing this for 75 years.”
But, he added, “We do not have the men and vehicles in position right now. They would have to be called in.”
Factors such as road closures and other fires would determine just how quickly additional firefighters and equipment could be on scene, Borthwick said.
“We do things in the timeliest manner humanly possible for these types of emergencies,” he said.
In preparation, Fire Department officials are currently attempting to secure key pieces of equipment, including a Super Scooper airplane and heavy lift helicopter, or helitanker, according to Fire Chief Brian Hughes of the L.A. County Fire Department, Battalion 5.
“We’re trying to get them earlier than normal,” he said. But, said Hughes, the Super Scoopers, based in Canada, are tied up at the moment in the Canadian fire season.
The Fire Department shares the helitanker, capable of lifting 1,800 gallons of water, with the Forestry Service and it will also be available “later in the season,” Hughes said.
Various federal sources, including the Bureau of Land Management of California Division of Forestry, are available for backup in the event of a major brush fire.
Battalion 5 consists of 11 fire stations along the coast and the 101 Freeway, from Carbon Canyon to the south and just before Ventura County line to the north.
The L.A. County Fire Department recently added two brand new Black Hawk, a.k.a. “Firehawk” helicopters to its fleet of four Bell helicopters this year.
Capable of dousing a fire with 1,000 gallons of water at a time, the new helicopters are a major asset to the community.
“It is an outstanding machine,” Borthwick said.
A key piece of equipment is an eductor pump, “permanently borrowed” from the Navy, Borthwick said. Should power lines burn down, cutting power supply to firefighters, the eductor pumps water from area swimming pools at 100 gallons per minute.
Residents with swimming pools with more than 5,000 gallons are required to post signs informing firefighters they have a pool.
Fourth of July busiest time
Despite the fact that fireworks are illegal in the area, Hughes said the Fourth of July is “the busiest day of the year for us.”
In the past, noted Hughes, people have used fireworks in the area, causing fires, burns and other traumatic injuries.
“Fireworks are not allowed in Malibu, or in any unincorporated areas in the vicinity,” reminds Hughes, adding, “Fireworks can only be set off in the city where they were purchased.”
Fire prevention
With wildfires having burnt thousands of acres in California-approximately 81,200 acres from a total of 4,365 fires since January 1, according to the National Interagency Fire Center- local residents need to be prepared and focus on fire prevention.
“Clear your brush,” advises Borthwick, who said area firefighters are actively involved with helping residents with brush clearance.
In addition to fireworks, welders, car fires, arsonists and high winds that can blow down wires are just a few of the other dangers that can spark fires.
Malibu’s difficult terrain, heavier fuels and winds are additional challenges to firefighters.
“Malibu has many homes built on narrow, winding roads where fire engines won’t fit,” Borthwick said.
Reorganization of the Fire Department’s management will create a community service representative to be stationed at the L.A. County Fire Station at 3970 Carbon Canyon Road.
The community service representative will serve as a liaison between the Fire Department and Malibu residents.
For fire prevention tips and information, visit the National Interagency Fire Center’s Web site at www.nifc.gov/preved/protecthome.html. (See accompanying box for some of those tips.)
The Web site offers several ideas on fire prevention such as building a home with noncombustible or fire-resistant materials such as tile, slate, sheet iron and aluminum. Using such materials may make the difference between losing or saving one’s home in a fire.