Fire season is upon us once again. Here is a reminder about the steps you should take to protect your home. We have been very lucky in the past several years. This may be the year our luck runs out.
What you should have already done:
€ Brush Clearance! The single most important step you can take to protect your home is to create a fuel-free zone around your house.
€ Keep flammables such as wood piles a safe distance from the house.
€ Make sure your house address can be clearly seen from the street. This is a big help to first responders.
€ Make sure fire hydrants are unobstructed and clearly visible.
€ Have a Go-Kit packed with emergency supplies-clothes and medications, etc.-in case you need to evacuate in a hurry.
€ Make a habit of parking your car in the driveway facing out, to allow for a quick getaway.
What you need to know if a fire starts nearby:
€ Do not wait to be told: get out quickly! Get away from the area until you know the situation is safe.
€ Exit the area using the safest possible route. This may be along PCH, rather than the north-south roads, as these may be hazardous in a fire event.
€ If the situation warrants, an emergency evacuation area will be set up in the end parking lot at Zuma Beach near Trancas. City staff and volunteers will be on hand to provide information and emergency supplies.
€ Listen to the radio or television for further information. Also, check the Malibu City Emergency Hotline, 310.456.9982, and the City Web site, www.ci.malibu.ca.us, for the latest information.
It is crucial to share the need to prepare in advance of the upcoming fire season with your friends and neighbors. Make sure everyone knows how to be ready and how to respond. As any long-time resident can attest, when it comes to wildfire in Malibu, it’s not if; it’s when.
For more information about wildfires, contact Maria Grycan, Community Services Representative, Los Angeles County Fire Department, at 310.456.7923; or Brad Davis, City of Malibu Emergency Services Coordinator, at 310.456.2489, ext 260.
-Article submitted by Brad Davis