A close call

Fire season is back-and the smell of smoke in the air and the sound of helicopters drumming overhead. When there's a blaze, the layer of ash that falls on your car isn't the end of the world, but a signal that things could get bad.

Fire season must be taken seriously. People have paid for their nonchalance with injury and loss of property.

Last week a pair of fires hit the Westlake area and left residents with jangled nerves. Although more than 200 acres burned, the blazes never got out of hand and homes remained safe, thanks to the swift work of our firefighters.

Protect your home and property by following the fire department's rules on proper brush clearance:

+Remove flammable vegetation and other combustible growth within 30 feet of any structures.

+Remove or trim all vegetation that is within 10 feet of chimneys, roads and driveways.

+Leave space between shrubs and trees to prevent fire spread. Avoid continuous tree or brush canopies.

+Tree crowns should not overhang the roof and should be pruned high enough to avoid ignition by a ground fire.

If you can't do the work yourself, hire a brush clearance specialist.

In addition to doing the yard chores, identify two exit routes from your neighborhood and have an emergency plan ready in case you must quickly leave.

This week, a number of residents observed the fires from a safe distance. Chet and Carol Schreiber never felt threatened in their Westlake Village home, but Chet kept a heavy duty hose ready just in case the wind shifted. Tim Hull was working in his office at The Landing and observed the helicopters scooping water from Westlake Lake to fight the fires. Gary Bradley watched warily as flames consumed a hill near his home on Passageway. They sent photographs of what they saw and their pictures can be viewed on page 28A. Other readers sent photos as well and we thank them.

Luckily, the flames were viewed from afar. The Oak Park fire that came last September hit much closer to home and sent a message that it's important to be prepared. Hopefully, we've learned.