Recent hot weather has sucked the moisture out of local flora, making it the perfect tinder for wildfires.
By Carly Erickson / The Malibu Times
As summer draws to a close, the height of fire season begins in Southern California. With that in mind, local authorities encourage Malibu residents to protect themselves properly against fire dangers.
“In Southern California there’s always a chance of fire year round,” Los Angeles County Fire Department Captain Matt Levesque said. “Usually our fire season reaches its high between September and November.”
Levesque added that in Malibu, the high point of fire season is typically around October.
Malibu is no stranger to devastating fires; numerous fires of various size have caused destruction over the past few decades. The Corral Canyon Fire of 2007, for instance, destroyed more than 50 homes and burned 4,900 acres.
“In Malibu, in particular, I think people are well aware of the fire risk,” Levesque said.
Elsewhere in Southern California and the U.S., fire season has already taken off.
In Kern County more than 50 brush fires were caused by lightening strikes last weekend. One of the fires, near Bakersfield, has consumed more than 1,000 acres, while another, in Tejon Canyon, has burned about 5,000 acres.
On Labor Day, a fire in Agua Dulce, in northeastern Los Angeles County, burned 500 acres, causing minor injuries to firefighters and civilians. Also on Sept. 5, a plane crash in Tehachapi, Calif. caused a fire that destroyed 27 homes and 52 outbuildings.
In Texas, a wildfire near Bastrop has burned more than 1,500 homes and 34,000 acres. Gov. Rick Perry said the Texas Forest Service responded to 181 fires in one week.
Levesque emphasized the importance of having a plan in the event of a fire. Families should have all necessary items and documents in one place, ready to be grabbed quickly if needed, and know their evacuation route. “In Malibu, you’d want to have multiple ways to evacuate from your home,” he said. “[Choose] multiple roads to evacuate depending on where the roads may be.”
Fire prevention steps can also be taken by using proper materials and making sure to clear brush. “[It is] imperative to keep proper clearance around homes,” Levesque said.
Houses should also be hardened using fire resistant materials whenever possible.
While steps can be taken to protect homes against fire, using caution around heat and flames is of clear importance, as fires can start any number of ways. “Machinery and heavy equipment [can start fires],” Levesque said. “Sometimes it’s people actually trying to clear brush.”
While all fires are dangerous, brush fires can be particularly threatening because of their ability to spread quickly.
“In regards to brush fires in particular, there’s always a need by the residents to stay alert of their surrounding areas,” Levesque explained. “If you notice any smoke, notify fire department as quickly as possible.”
Levesque added that it’s the goal of the Los Angeles County Fire Department to get out to brush fires as soon as possible to contain them, and that a significant amount of resources will be sent out on all first alarm brush assignments.
More information about fire protection can be obtained by visiting fire.lacounty.gov.