Mountain residents attend wildfire seminar
'Sparks don't discriminate' official says
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

In the wake of the numerous wild fires that burned many areas of Southern California, several agencies sponsored a seminar on how to protect lives and property in the region through brush clearing, wise plant selection and other simple measures.

The Dec. 7 meeting was conducted at the Malibou Lake Mountain Club, and sponsored by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the National Park Service and the University of CaliforniaCooperative Extension.

More than 200 people attended the event. Tom Delsmore, one of the event organizers, said while the turnout was commendable, the people who didn't show up are the ones who everyone should worry about.

"Sparks don't discriminate," Delsmore said.

Sparks are generated from embers, said Los Angeles County Fire Department Batallion Chief Anthony Williams. To illustrate the danger of embers on dead plant material, Williams and Fire Chief Reggie Lee showed a film of the 2007 fire in Corral Canyon near Malibu. Since the fire was a quarter mile away, firefighters believed they had plenty of time to protect homes in the area, but within minutes Santa Ana winds fanned embers into residential areas like rain and Italian Cyrus trees lit up like "roman candles," Lee said.

The fire destroyed thousands of acres of "wildland," many homes, and six firefighters were hospitalized, Lee said.

Italian Cyprus trees are not native species to the region, have high oil content, and are known for camouflaging dead plant material within its tight branches, Lee said. "Burning Cyprus throws more embers," he said, adding that the trees are among the most dangerous to plant near homes.

"Cyprus take off from embers, not direct flames," Lee said. "Fifty mile per hour winds will drive (embers) into every crack of a house," Lee said.

For people who don't evacuate, simple steps can save lives, Lee said. Some people choose to water the roofs of their home during a fire, but when a fire moves rapidly, these people are in danger. "If you're caught in a bad situation, going from six feet to the ground will save your life," Lee said.

Preparation

Other steps homeowners can make to protect their homes include having chimneys checked every year. Lee said many fires are started in damaged fire boxes. Clearing brush from under eaves and near windows can prevent embers from sparking right on top of a home.

"Preparedness is absolutely key to your survival," Williams said. "When a disaster strikes it's usually without warning. We have to stay, you don't," he said.

Photographs were shown of homes that had "defensible space," and properties that didn't. "Which one are we gong to save," Williams asked. "We are less apt to commit a great deal of resources if (the home) is surrounded by brush."

Captain Wayne Miller from fire station 65 discussed the importance of brush clearance. "Clearing is expensive," Miller said. "Plan for it, call and ask the fire department- we're a team."

Cleaning out trees and bushes with inner dead material is also crucial, Miller said. He listed some plant and tree species that are particularly prone to burning- pine trees, palms, acacia, eucalyptus, and pampas grass.

The "Weed Watch" brochure lists better plant choices, from lavender, rosemary and sage to Australian Willows, Coast Live Oak and California Sycamore.

Trees need to be pruned each year to one third of its height, Miller said. Ten feet of clearance on each side of a home is also recommended.

Miller also stressed the necessity of keeping roadways open for so emergency vehicles. "If we can't get in, we can't help you," he said.

Firewood, hay and compost are also combustible, Miller said, and railway ties should be exchanged for concrete material. "Nothing should be combustible within 10 feet of a house," Miller said. He also suggested that home addresses be prominently displayed directly on the home.

When disaster strikes

Cover windows and vents to ward off embers flying into homes, and draperies, should be removed, Williams said. Fill sinks, trash cans and bathtubs with water, he said, and have batteries and flashlights handy. Close all windows and doors and shut off the gas. Lights should be left on in the house and on the porch, and

"You definitely have to plan ahead if you don't have a horse trailer," Williams said. "Plan with a neighbor," he said. An audience member warned about placing tags around the necks of horses. "They melt," she said. Instead, Williams suggested painting the horse so it can be identified if let loose.

Evacuation plans should include a predetermined route of travel based on the direction of the fire, Williams said. "Move away from the smoke," he said. If possible, identify two routes out of your neighborhood. Designate a place to meet family members or neighbors- a school or church is often a good choice, he said.

As for Malibou Lake residents, Williams said it wasn't a good idea to take a boat out on the lake, since the fire department often siphons water from lakes to put out flames. Only go out on a lake as the last resort, he said.

Safe landscape

Marty O'Toole, fire, education and prevention specialist with the National Park Service, said wildland fires are a predictable force in the region. "We know it's coming," he said. He talked about fire safe plants, and the dangers of planting invasive species.