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In most parts of the country, summer is the season of highest fire danger. In Los Angeles however, this is not the case. The largest brush fires occur in November and December when the Santa Ana winds can blow 50 - 100 miles per hour. Nearly all of Los Angeles major brush fires have occurred during these two months.
For those of you who live in the midst of brushy or wooded areas, planning and preparations are essential in order to maximize your safety when an unstoppable fire passes over your house. The first step is to create a "defensible space" around your home. All hazardous brush should be removed within 100 feet of all structures. Good brush and tree clearance will provide a working area for firefighters to operate and allow a fast- moving fire to burn around your property with a minimal chance of igniting your house.
The next thing to consider is what to actually do if a fire is moving toward your home. The first consideration is your safety. Should you stay at home or leave? If you have any doubts at all, evacuate immediately. If time allows, and you have not been ordered to evacuate, the following actions are recommended:
EVACUATION: If evacuation is ordered, or if you feel your safety is jeopardized, keep the family together, take your valuable papers and drive to a safe area. Most important of all: KEEP CALM! Excited people cause panic.
IF YOU STAY: If you have not been ordered to evacuate and chose to stay, or if you are trapped at home prior to evacuating, take the following steps:
PROTECTING YOUR OWN HOUSE: If you plan to protect your own house and are physically able to do so (and have not been ordered to evacuate) go outside after the fire has passed and use your ladder and garden hose to extinguish any spot fires on your roof and around the exterior of your house. There is little value in wetting down brush, trees and fire-resistant roofs ahead of a fire. If you have an older wood roof, wet it down with your garden hose until the fire is within 600', then get down from the roof and go inside. You can also fill large trash cans with water and place them around your house in case your water pressure diminishes. Keep small rugs handy to dip in the water and extinguish spot fires. Use shovels to "spray" dirt over small spot fires. Above all use good judgement and stay safe.