As California prepares for the upcoming Santa Ana wind season, residents are advised to take steps to protect their homes from wildfires. Home hardening measures include using ember-resistant materials on roofs, installing metal mesh screens on vents, and maintaining eaves, gutters, and siding. Clearing vegetation around chimneys, balconies, and decks is also recommended. Additionally, creating a non-combustible zone around the home, using hardscape materials, and limiting combustible items can help reduce the risk of fire damage.
Officials urge residents to be proactive in preparing for power outages during wildfires, including unplugging appliances to avoid overloading circuits. The State Fire Marshal has classified fire hazard severity zones based on risk levels, which residents can check online by entering their address. Most wildfires in California in recent years have occurred in non-conifer ecosystems, with over five million hectares burned in the past two decades.
The devastating impact of wildfires was evident in the Tubbs fire in Sonoma County in 2017, where embers spread rapidly and caused extensive property damage within 90 minutes. Insurance companies and fire prevention officials have been on high alert following such incidents, as even areas considered low risk can be vulnerable during extreme wind events. The Woolsey and Hill fires in Los Angeles and Ventura counties in 2018 further underscored the rapid spread of wildfires during Santa Ana winds.
Sources for fire prevention information include Cal Fire, U.S. Forest Service, Orange County Fire Authority, and the California Public Utilities Commission. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and take proactive steps to protect their homes and communities from the increasing threat of wildfires in California.
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