Time to prepare for catastrophic fire?

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Now is time to prepare for catastrophic fire

By Paul Boerger
Published: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 2:10 PM CDT

Global warming has hit the forests says CAL FIRE battalion chief Margy Marshall, and with southern Siskiyou County having a long history of wildfires it is only a matter of time before another one occurs. Marshall says it is up to citizens to prepare the areas around their homes to defend their property.

At a May 23 presentation at the Stage Door Carbaret Coffeehouse in Mount Shasta, Marshall strongly made the case that homes with a “defensible space” have a high rate of survivability from a wildfire.

“You home will have a 86 to 95 percent chance of survival if you choose to manage the vegetation around your home,” Marshall said, noting that California law now requires 100 feet of defensible space.

Marshall showed historical maps of the large fires that have occurred around Mount Shasta, several coming right up the city boundary.

“It would be naive to think that it can't happen again,” Marshall said.

Marshall said the following step are essential in preparing for a wildfire:

€ Choose fire safe building materials whenever possible;

€ Have a “lean, clean and green zone” immediately surrounding your home that includes clearing for 30 feet and a “reduced fuel zone” for an additional 70 feet;

€ Prepare for evacuating to a safe area. Know where the safe areas are in your city; and

€ Pay attention to the “little things” during the summer such as cleaning gutters, moving wood piles away from the home and don't let flammable materials accumulate in your yard such as under the deck.

“By reducing the chance of your home igniting, you can make a difference,” Marshall said.

Marshall said the impact of global warming cannot be ignored.

“Since 1986, longer, warmer summers have resulted in a fourfold increase in major wildfires. Researchers attribute these changes to an increase in summer temperatures and earlier melting of snow pack,” Marshall said. “Snowpacks are melting one to four weeks earlier than they did 50 years ago. We are at 50 percent normal right now.”

Marshall said she has been a firefighter since 1977 and has seen a “big change” in the number of fires.

“It used to be unusual for us to deploy elsewhere,” Marshall said. “Now, hardly a summer goes by when we aren't sent somewhere.”

The Mount Shasta Area Fire Safety Plan has the following recommendations if a wildfire occurs:

€ For an evacuation, make plans for moving pets and valuables, turn off propane, dress in long pants, long sleeved shirt and cap and check on children, elderly or disabled in your community;

€ If you are unable to evacuate, stay inside your home away from outside walls. Remember it will be hotter outside that inside the home. Keep doors closed and unlocked, stay together and remain calm.

Once the fire has passed, check your home, attic and yard for burning embers and extinguish small fires if safe to do so.

If you become trapped in your car, park as far away from grass, brush, trees and power lines as possible, close doors, windows and vents. Cover yourself with a blanket or jacket.

Marshall said she was part of the crews that fought the Cedar Fire near San Diego that destroyed over 3,000 homes and killed over 20 civilians, in addition to firefighters.

“Most of the civilians who were killed, died trying to flee the fire in their cars,” Marshall said, stressing again to make your home defensible.

Marshall said CAL FIRE is available to inspect homes and make suggestions on how to create defensible space. Check local listings for the nearest station.

“The signs are all around us that a wildfire will occur,” Marshall said. “You can make a difference.”

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