I appreciate Mr. Majors’ letter to the editor, May 26, on the fires that have plagued the Malibu community for some time. Malibu is prone to such problems due to our locality, and the nature of our surroundings. Mr. Majors states that most fires have started outside our community and have come to us. The fire at Trancas in January, 2004, was right here in our own backyard. The fire at Decker, half mile up from Pacific Coast Highway, started there. What I am trying to say is Malibu needs to take more responsibility in looking after itself. Malibu needs more community involvement. Do not lash out at our battalion chief for what he sees to be a very real threat to our peace and tranquility in the coming month. Our battalion chief is only preparing our community for what he sees as a real threat.
Being a member of our Malibu Community Arson Watch Patrol Team, I see the potential for the very real fire problems. Everybody has seen someone throw a half lit cigarette out of a car. Some have seen people driving their cars across dry grassy fields with the muffler scraping the dry grass. We even have transients start campfires that can get out of control.
What I am saying is Malibu citizens need to be more aware of their surroundings, and prepare. That is the only way we can protect our property and ourselves. Let us not blame our neighboring communities for what they have no control of. I, for one, patrol our canyons and neighborhoods on a regular basis, hoping not to find a problem. If there is one, I know which agencies to contact and how to advise them of my location.
The Malibu Arson Watch team is always in need of members to help patrol on the Fourth of July, Red Flag Days and anytime when there is a threat of fire. I’m sure most of Malibu has seen team members with magnetic signs on our cars and wondered about us. Now I give the community a call to action. Join me and many other Malibu citizens and get involved with the solution. Join the team by contacting Doug Robbins, Malibu Arson Watch Team director, at 805.604.3200, ext. 3223.
Robert Kirby