Wildfires Could Hit Close to Home This Year, Experts Warn

As peak wildfire season starts unusually early this year, Castro Valley [[San Leandro]] residents may not want to get too comfortable thinking the worst fires always seem to break out in areas some distance away.

Late last month, two fires forced evacuations in suburban areas similar in landscape to the hills in our own backyard. The Canyon Fire burned 71 acres of the ridge between Fremont and Pleasanton, north of Niles Canyon. The Edgewood Fire in San Mateo County charred at least 25 acres near Interstate 280. Both of those wildfires forced evacuations and put communities on edge.

Fire prevention officials warn that these are the dangers we now face in the Bay Area, no matter where you live.

“There’s the chance for wildfire anywhere in California,” says Robert Foxworthy, spokesman for the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, better known as CalFire.

State officials warned against non-professional fireworks this year, even where they are legal, because of the severe fire danger. In Alameda County, fireworks are only legal in the cities of Dublin, Union City, and Newark, and then only if they’re the “safe and sane” variety.

It’s the fire danger that’s currently insane, the authorities say.

“It doesn’t take much to start a wildfire this year,” Foxworthy warns, “given how bad the drought is and how plentiful fuel is for fires.”

He wasn’t just talking about fireworks, though. The CalFire spokesman was talking about all the things people do that might not be all that unsafe in better conditions.

He warns, echoed by the department’s website, that the biggest threat to most homes isn’t a wall of flame coming down a hillside, but an airborne attack by embers often a mile or more away from the nearest flames. (Do flee actual flames immediately, experts advise.)

“Where can embers land and smolder for a while unnoticed until they burst into flames?” is the question you should be asking about your residence, Foxworthy and other experts say.

Embers certainly like to land on roofs, and people should be gradually shifting to ignition-resistant roofs made of materials like composition, metal, clay, or tile. The same goes for patios and decks, and while a patio or deck cover is a good idea, make sure it won’t itself burn or melt, Foxworthy said.

People sometimes store flammable items under the deck or under the house, he said. Embers can blow in from the side, so those need to be covered. Better still, find someplace else to keep combustible items.

Combustible items shouldn’t be stored right next to the house, Foxworthy said. It’s called “firewood” for a reason.

Embers can get into a house through attic vents and smolder for hours. Vents with very small screens are needed, made of metal rather than other materials that could melt or burn, Foxworthy said.

When you light an outdoor grill, always wear a short-sleeved shirt, even if it’s a bit chilly out, one fires-safety website warns. You don’t want a wildfire starting quite literally with you if something goes wrong.

Fires start with sparks, and Foxworthy suggests making as few as possible of those, especially near dry vegetation. Any outdoor gas-powered equipment should have spark arrestors, and be very careful around tall, dry vegetation.

A lawn mower isn’t the right equipment for tall weeds, and if it’s set too low to the ground, the blade can set off sparks from any rocks it strikes Foxworthy said.

If you’re using a car or truck for towing, be sure any connecting chain isn’t dragging on the ground. Make sure the connecting pin is in good shape to avoid losing a trailer or boat altogether.

Undersides of cars and trucks get surprisingly hot, Foxworthy said, and parking on dry vegetation is dangerous. It’s more so the lower your vehicle is or the higher the vegetation is.

Even flat or underinflated tires can cause a fire if the rim hits a hard surface and sparks, he said.

“We can all use one less wildfire this wildfire season,” Foxworthy said.

Six Essential Summer Fire Safety Tips

Source: Fireline.com

· Firework Safety. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends attending a public fireworks display and leaving the show to the professionals.

· Grilling Fire Safety. It is essential when grilling to wear a short-sleeve shirt to prevent your clothes from catching fire.

· Lawn Mower Fire Care. Follow your lawn mower’s manufacturer’s recommended maintenance plan for your equipment. Remove all debris and grass clippings from mufflers, cutting units, and engines.

· Gas Storage for Fire Safety. Don’t store gasoline, liquid fire starter, propane, or any other kind of flammable liquids near your grill or other ignition sources.

· HVAC Checkup and Maintenance. An annual inspection of your air conditioning system could prevent a house fire.

· Alarm Inspections for Proper Fire Safety. Inspecting your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly are the best ways to detect fires and carbon monoxide.