Prepare & Prevent: Wildfire Season

Dear Friends and Neighbors, 

Climate change is creating warmer and dryer seasons - increasing the frequency and destructive capability of wildfires. Delayed winter rains only contribute to this problem. Recent rains have produced a high volume of rainfall over brief periods. The resulting super bloom of vegetation then dries out - thereby creating potential fuel sources for wildfires to thrive.

Peak Wildfire Season is also getting longer throughout California. Our wildfire season is nearly year-round. Peak wildfire season in Southern California usually starts earlier - beginning in late spring. Many assume the summer is the most dangerous period for wildfire. However, the most destructive fires actually take place in September and October.

Preparing for wildfires is critical and can save lives. My office has prepared a list of resources you can access in order to help you get started. Should you have questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to call my district office at (818) 409-0400.  

Respectfully,

Anthony J. Portantino
Senator, 25th District

PREVENTION:

• Defensible Space: You can create a buffer between a building and the grass, trees, shrubs, and other combustible fuels that surround it: How To Create Defensible Space for Wildfire Safety | CAL FIRE (readyforwildfire.org)
• Home Hardening: There are ways to renovate a home to make it less exposed to wildfire through radiant heat, flying embers, and adjacent combustible fuels. This fire prevention strategy is strongest when paired with defensible space. Visit CAL FIRE’s guide on home hardening to help you get started. 
• Fire Smart Landscaping: You can choose and plant fire-resistant plants that thrive in California’s dry climate. Visit CAL FIRE's Guide on fire smart landscaping.  
  • How Homes Catch Fire: Three common ways homes catch fire: ember storm, radiant heat, & direct flame.

PREPARATION:

• Emergency Alerts:
  • Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) is a public safety system that allows customers to receive geographically targeted text messages alerting them of imminent threats. National, state, and local entities use this system to send out alerts during emergencies like a wildfire. The California WEA system can be found at Cal Alerts.  
  • The FEMA App allows constituents to receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide. 
  • NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office on a 24-7 basis. Radio alerts are useful in areas with both poor cell reception and broadband coverage. 
  • CAL FIRE Text Alerts allows a constituent to receive CAL FIRE text alerts on nearby active incidents based on their ZIP code.
  • Ready LA County | Alerts is a free mass notification system for Los Angeles County residents and businesses.
• Evacuation Routes and Guides: 
  • READY!SET!GO! - Fire Department (lacounty.gov) has information for LA County residents regarding evacuation and preparation. 
  • Online Wildfire Preparedness Planner - An interactive prevention/preparation planning tool from CAL FIRE that generates a series of checklists based on each person’s circumstances. 
  • Evacuation Guide - CAL FIRE's webpage for guiding constituents on how they can prepare themselves, their family, pets, and livestock for an evacuation.
  • Preparing Seniors and Disabled Family Members - CAL FIRE's webpage includes several links to guides from the U.S. Fire Administration, FEMA, and the Red Cross.
  • Seniors Preparation Guide - FEMA's guide on preparing seniors for evacuation.
  • Disabled Family Members Evacuation Guide - FEMA's guide on preparing disabled family members for evacuation.
  • Plan For Location - FEMA's tips on factors constituents should keep in mind when planning for an emergency in a given location (a house, apartment, condominium, etc.). 
  • Go Bags Guide - CAL FIRE's guide on creating an emergency 'Go Bag'.
• Insurance and Documentation: This information is critical for homeowners. Confirming policy coverage and conducting a home inventory guide is a very difficult task when undertaken after a catastrophic loss. 
  • Top Ten Tips for Wildfire Claimants  - This guide from the California Department of Insurance provides a clear set of steps for policyholders to take when preparing for a possible evacuation or catastrophic loss.
  • Home Inventory Guide  - This guide from the California Department of Insurance is a comprehensive workbook to help a constituent build a full home inventory ahead of a catastrophic loss.
  • Policyholder Evacuation Checklist  - This guide gives special attention to additional living expenses (ALE) which is particularly important for policyholders to keep in mind going into an evacuation.