Fire Season Is Here!

It is that time of year once again! It is Wild Fire season! Look at what's going on in Lake Tahoe if you don't believe me!

We live in a very dangerous area as far as wild land firefighting is concerned. Our topography alone creates an almost wildland fire inevitability! We have dry hills in our parks and tons of fuel. Just one spark at the wrong time of day could be devestating!

There are some things that we can do to help prevent wildland fires in our area.

It kills me to see people throwing their cigarettes out of the car as they are driving down the street! First of all that's illegal. You can't throw stuff out of a moving vehicle. (Where's a cop when you need one!) Second, that just uglies up our city! I don't have a problem with someone who smokes, just don't subject others to your smoke or smoking waste! It is way cooler to have a clean city than it is to flick a cigarette but across 2 lanes of road.

Third, and most important, it can be a fire hazzard. If you flick your cigarette butt out of your window on Petaluma Hill Road near Yoland, you could start a grass fire that could be devestating. The same can be said about parts of highway 12 or Mark West Springs Road or Fountaingrove. If these areas catch fire because of a cigarette butt, we could have a conflagration that devistates our city!

Did I mention that I am a fireman? I know what I'm talking about!

I actually saw a man comming off of a trail at Spring Lake with a lit cigarette in his mouth. He flicked his nasty ol' butt hoping to make it into the lake. If that isn't bad enough, the butt didn't make it to the water. It landed in some dry grass and smoldered!

I picked up the butt and gave it back to surprised man and told him not to do that again! (I don't suggest that you do the same unless you are 6ft 5in and 235 pounds like me!)

As home owners, there is alot that we can do to help keep our homes safe in the event of a wild land fire.

Maintain a Survivable Space
"Things you can do today"

Clean roof surfaces and gutters of pine needs, leaves, branches, etc., regularly to avoid accumulation of flammable materials.

Remove portions of any tree extending within 10 feet of the flue opening of any stove or chimney.

Maintain a screen constructed of non-flammable material over the flue opening of every chimney or stovepipe. Mesh openings of the screen should not exceed 1/2 inch.

Landscape vegetation should be spaced so that fire can not be carried to the structure or surrounding vegetation.

Remove branches from trees to height of 15 feet.

A fuel break should be maintained around all structures.

Dispose of stove or fireplace ashes and charcoal briquettes only after soaking them in a metal pail of water.

Store gasoline in an approved safety can away from occupied buildings.

Propane tanks should be far enough away from buildings for valves to be shut off in case of fire. Keep area clear of flammable vegetation.

All combustibles such as firewood, picnic tables, boats, etc. should be kept away from the property

Addressing should be indicated at all intersections and on structures.

All roads and driveways should be at least 16 feet in width.

Have fire tools handy such as: ladder long enough to reach the roof, shovel, rake and bucket for water.

Each home should have at least two different entrance and exit routes.

If you are camping at Lake Sonoma or hosting a bar-b-Q at spring lake, make sure those coals are extinguished befor you leave!

Drench them with water and cover them with dirt!

Let's stay safe this summer!

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