Love's Real Stories

As the season changes from Summer to Fall, we are still in the season with no change at all: Fire season. Peering through the smoke, you can see the leaves on the trees changing color, but more significantly, the leaves are dry.

Until Fire season ends, homeowners and property owners must stay vigilant with your fire prevention skill-building techniques. Just a few of the little things in fire prevention can make a big difference in whether your place survives a fire storm.

The prediction is for cooler weather ahead in the first couple of weeks of October, which will mean a little more humidity and perhaps a lessening of the Red Flag warnings from the National Weather Service. And with increasing containment of the fires burning all around us now, we also should see a clearing of the smoky skies.

But, listen, no relaxing your fire awareness yet. Now is the time to practice your fire prevention skills even more. With cooler and clearer weather coming, now is the perfect time to get outside and make a difference.

So, I’m nagging you one more time to get serious, if you haven’t already. Give your place the once-over with fire prevention in mind. Here are some techniques from the Buttecounty.net/disaster preparedness website:

Right now:

• Clear off the roof and empty the gutters.
• Clear the driveway to at least twenty feet wide, and fifteen feet from the ground up, for the firetrucks.
• Clear the weeds within thirty feet of all structures, propane tanks, and utility boxes.
• Develop your outside water supply, with hoses to reach the entire house.
• Cut tree limbs that hang within 15 feet of the roof and chimney. Install a spark arrestor on the chimney and keep it clear of tar and debris.
• Thin and prune the dead stuff out of trees and brush.
• Move that stack of firewood thirty feet from the house, preferably uphill.

If you are evacuated:

• If you have time and capability, blow or sweep the leaves, pine needles, and debris from the roof, and out of the gutters.
• Clear debris and any items that will burn from around the house, including lawn furniture, barbecue grills, especially barbecue propane bottles, chairs and tables on a deck, all the little things that can catch a spark. Throw them all at least twenty feet from the house, outside your defensible space.
• Lean a ladder against the side of the house, right out front where the firefighters can see it.
• Close all the windows and doors. Cover outside vents, like the attic, eaves, and foundation vents. People have used duct tape and plastic. The idea is to block air flow into the vents, so flying embers and sparks aren’t sucked into the house.
• Close all the doors inside the house and drop shutters and blinds, again to prevent air draft.
• Shut off the gas or propane supply lines. Put your can’t-live-without papers and valuables in the car.
• Connect garden hoses for firefighters to use. Fill any pools or hot tubs, and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
• Park the car pointing away from the house with the key in the ignition.
• Put the pets in the car.
• Release any horses and livestock from barns into the pasture.

These are just a few of the recommended techniques. People have come up with more ideas with sprinkler systems, landscaping, and fireproof materials outside and inside houses and buildings. One tip a reader sent in, is to connect a “Foam-Fast” cartridge attachment to your garden hose for firefighting which turns the spray into foam, a more effective fire suppressor than water. He says the product is sold locally for around $125.00. Check out foam-fast.com.

Okay, no more nagging for now. But, any more technique tips?

At the conclusion of my previous article, which was about tips for fire prevention and my nagging ways about fire prevention and preparation, I ended with this: “Okay, no more nagging for now. But any more tips?”

Wow, I received a lot of tips from you readers out there. I perceive that you are on edge just as I am, about the present and future dangers of Fire Season. 

We share sufferings of PTSD in varying forms and varying degrees of severity, having been through the worst fire disaster in California history, the notorious Camp Fire of November 8, 2018; the destruction of Paradise and the burn-through of surrounding areas, including my home territory, Butte Creek Canyon.

You have sent me dozens of personal stories of your Camp Fire experiences. We have seen and heard many impactful, heartbreaking, disastrous Camp Fire stories. But when your stories and experiences are sent directly from you to me, in a personal way, they are even more impactful and heartbreaking. Disastrous is an understatement.

Through all the grief and tragedy, we must try as hard as we can to prevent a repeat of the Camp Fire, or anything like it.

That’s why I keep nagging about fire preparation and prevention and asking for more tips. Receiving your responses to my request is inspiring.

For example, my inspiring new friend R.W., a Camp Fire survivor, sent me a hand-written letter on yellow lined notepaper with a clipping of an excerpt from my previous article pasted to it. She also stapled to the letter a 3×5 index file card. An old-school creation, but, pay attention, it delivers good advice for us all.

R.W. wrote: “Yes, fire prevention nagging is still on the agenda. You asked for a few more tips. In June 2018, I assembled a “Go Bag”. I also put together an index file card set-up for the last-minute items needed from each room, in the event of a quick evacuation.”

In the margin of the letter she put an asterisk and the words “see example”. The example is the 3×5 index card. At the top of the card, it says “Location: Mud Room”. Below, it says “List of Items:” and line by line below that, it says, “flashlights with batteries; dog’s meds and vet vaccination papers; dog’s leash, bowl, blanket, food (dog’s Go Bag); boots, gloves, jacket.”

R.W. continued: “When the Nov. 8, 2018 Camp Fire was raging down our canyon, I referenced the index cards for quick packing (this was done with a clear/concise mind vs. the adrenaline- fueled mind!!). I only took what was on the cards and packed in under 15 minutes.”

She continues: “The Camp Fire took our neighbor’s house and barn. We spend a lot of time clearing firebreaks and creating defensible space. It is our responsibility and I appreciate your informative column on being Fire Safe.”

On the back of the letter R.W. wrote: “Another tip: A neighbor rolled a wet beach towel and placed it inside his front door to prevent draft and embers from entering.”

She added: “P.S. We left our house 15 minutes before the Camp Fire hit. We know a First Responder saved our house and we are forever grateful! (smiley face)”

People, I’m reloading my dusty index file card box with R.W.’s tips. No relying on a computer file. By the time you evacuate, the power and internet are off, and a computer file is worthless.

Thank you, R.W. The first Fire Tip trophy goes to you!