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Understanding Wildland Fire and Preparedness in �San Diego County

Fallbrook Fire Safe Council in conjunction with

North County Fire Protection District

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�Be Ready�

Key Aspect of the “Ready” Phase:

Protecting your home from wildfire damage requires limiting the amount of fuel that could bring flames and embers dangerously close to your property or ignite your property and home.

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Be Ready

Defensible Space: (3 Zone)

Space between a

structure and the

wildland area that

under normal conditions

creates a sufficient

buffer to slow or halt

the spread of wildfire to

a structure.

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Be Ready

Zone 1: First 5 feet from Home

    • Maintain all plants, shorten the height, remove branches that are close to the ground, prune to reduce the amount of material in the plant, and remove dead material
    • Don’t forget your potted plants and exterior decorations

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Be Ready

Zone 2: 5-50 feet from Home

  • Fire Resistive Plants: retain moisture and have less of a woody mass.
  • Maintenance is key
  • Junipers, Cypress and Rosemary are examples of highly flammable plants with a woody mass.

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Be Ready

Zone 3: 50 - 100 feet from Home

  • 100 feet does not mean moonscape devoid of plants.
  • Remove all dead and dying vegetation
  • Remove / mow all non-native species, grasses, weeds, etc. leaving 6 inches for soil stability
  • Thin native vegetation by 50 percent
  • Trim large trees up from ground level

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Be Ready

  • Have an evacuation plan
    • Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes
    • Have a rendezvous point to meet family members and others
  • Make a “To Go” Kit – the “Eight P’s”
    • People & Pets
      1. Medical Apparatuses, sanitizers, masks, etc.
      2. Extra food and medicines for pets
    • Papers, Phone numbers, documents
    • Prescriptions, vitamins, eyeglasses
    • Pictures & irreplaceable memorabilia
    • Personal computers (info on hard drive)
    • “Plastic” (credit cards, ATM cards), cash
    • Personal & comfort items, i.e. extra clothing, toiletries, bedding, etc.
    • Provisions, i.e. food, snacks, water, etc.

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Set

What Does it Mean to be “Set”

    • Situational Awareness
    • Ability of response
    • Local methods of �emergency communication�

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Set

“To Does”:

    • Don’t Wait To Be Told To Evacuate
    • Alert Family and Friends
    • Keep updated on Fire

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Set

Preparations for evacuation inside Home:

    • Shut all Windows and Doors, lock exterior doors
    • Leave your lights on so Firefighters can see your house under smoky conditions.
    • IF YOU HAVE TIME CONSIDER:
      • Shut off gas at meter, turn pilot lights off
      • Shut off Air Conditioner

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Set

Preparation for evacuation outside Home:

    • Gather up flammable items and bring them inside the house or garage; trash cans, patio furniture, garden hoses
    • Don’t leave water on or running
    • Turn off Propane tanks
    • Take a lap around the house to double check
    • Time permitting, use fire-resistant materials (plywood) to cover up vulnerable areas, i.e. windows, vents, doggie doors, etc.

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Go

  • “Leave Early”
    • Don’t Wait To Be Told To Leave
    • Makes it Safer for You, Your Property and First Responders
  • Know Where to Go:
    • Know evacuation routes
    • Go away from Fire
    • Follow evacuation enforcement agency’s directives

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Ready, Set, Go! Program Tenants

  • What if you are Trapped by a Moving

Fire Front? STAY PUT

  • Take refuge inside your home until the fie passes or it becomes unsafe to remain.
  • Call 911�

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