Monday marks the start of Wildfire Preparedness Week in California, and while state and local fire officials say they’re ready, they’re urging residents to get ready themselves.
Five separate agencies joined together for a news conference on Monday in sending the message that, between them and CalFire, more than 20,000 personnel and hundreds of engines and dozens of aircraft stand ready to deal with major or minor blazes in the months ahead. CalFire Chief Joe Tyler says his agency has 14,000 personnel, hundreds of engines and bulldozers, and dozens of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft ready to fight fires.
But Tyler said it’s equally important that homeowners in at-risk areas prepare themselves.
“Creating ember-resistant zones is also referred to as ‘zone zero,’[which] includes actions like replacing vents, sealing gaps, clearing debris from roofs and gutters, removing mulch and bark using gravel, relocating flammable plants - all can be done without permits,” he said. “All can be done without contractors, and it will help prevent embers from igniting structures.”
Officials say the heavy rains have already generated a surge in plant growth that will turn into fuel for fires in a matter of months.
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