PAGE 6 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • August 2020
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AN OMNIPRESENT DANGER: HOW TO PREPARE FOR THIS YEAR’S WILDFIRE SEASON
By County Supervisor Candace Andersen
As our County continues to deal with the COVID-19 virus and its effects, it is important to remember other dangers still exist within our communities. Wildfire season, traditionally between the summer and fall months, will overlap with the pandemic emergency and likely cause fire damage across our state. Six of the 20 largest fires in California’s recorded history have happened in the past five years, while 10 of our state’s most destructive wildfires have occurred in the past five years. Unfortunately, it is estimated that 95% of wildfires in our state are caused by people, often the result of combustible debris and vegetation. Despite these statistics, however, and our current predicament, there are several steps each of us can take to reduce the risk of one breaking out in our community. While I am proud of the many outstanding fire protection services in our County and the work they do to keep our communities safe, it is ultimately every property owner’s responsibility to remove fire hazards on their property, whether it be residential, commercial, or raw land parcels. The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (SRVFPD) is happy to offer guidance and aid to the residents it serves. SRVFPD provides all-risk fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to the communities of Alamo, Blackhawk, the Town of Danville, Diablo, the City of San Ramon, the southern area of Morgan Territory, and the Tassajara Valley. For SRVFPD homeowners who live near open space or have wildland adjacent to their property, they are encouraged to sign-up for a free workshop on wildfire preparedness. Though there are no upcoming class at this time due to the pandemic, classes are typically held at the District’s Administrative Office, located at 1500 Bollinger Canyon Road in San Ramon. The SRVFPD also maintains a list of weed abatement providers in its area, which can be found at www.firedepartment.org. The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CCCFPD) provides fire and emergency medical services for much of Contra Costa County including Walnut Creek and Lafayette. On their homepage at www.cccfpd.org/wildfireprep, there is great information about how to best protect your family and home from wildfires. Among other resources, there is a very helpful Wildfire Preparedness and Evacuation Guide. Another excellent resource is the Diablo Firesafe Council (DFSC). Their stated goal is to serve as a catalyst for bringing together people, agencies, and the means to substantially reduce the impact of wildland fire on our communities. Their Resources list at www.diablofiresafe.org includes information about preventing wildfires around the house, plant performance information, and a Community Wildfire Protection Plan for our County. To get well-versed in wildfire preparedness, residents should become acclimated with several key terms fire officials use to broadcast the status of our area in regard to wildfire danger. “Fire Weather Watch, indicates fire weather conditions are possible, and “Red Flag Warning” advises fire conditions are ongoing or expected to occur shortly, and therefore residents must use extreme caution. These are among two of the most important warnings. For current fire weather watches and red flag warnings, visit www.wrh.noaa.gov/fire2/cafw/index.php. There are several, seemingly easy, ways all residents can reduce the risk of wildfires: mow your lawn before 10AM, and never when it is windy or excessively dry; obtain a campfire permit and understand campfire safety; maintain your vehicle by securing chains, checking tire pressure, and properly maintaining brakes; and learn how and when to safely burn debris. All homeowners and tenants should create a defensible space, which is the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surrounds it. It is advised to remove all dead and dying vegetation from around the house, roof, gutters, and decks. Keep tree limbs 10 feet from structures and other trees. Residents should also be mindful of proper wiring in their homes and electrical outlets, not overloading garages, and frequently cleaning dryer vents. These measures will help protect your home from catching fire. It is also imperative to have several escape routes planned ahead of time from your home and community to ensure a successful evacuation in the event of a fire. As we have seen in recent major fires, knowing of impending dangers and when to evacuate is critical. All residents should register their cellphones with the Contra Costa Community Warning System (CWS). To register, visit www.cococws.us or call 925-313-9622. You should also follow CWS @CoCoCWS, Fire @ Contracostafire, and Sheriff @cocosopio. Residents should also be aware of AM Radio 1610, which broadcasts emergency information in the San Ramon Valley. The year 2020 has indeed been unprecedented. While the Coronavirus has dominated the public discourse over the past several months, it is vital that we not forget about necessary preventative measures that need to be taken to save lives and structures during wildfire season. We must continue to remain vigilant to ensure our communities remain safe. My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon, and Orinda. Please contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or 925-957-8860.
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