The 2022 Wildfire Season is Well Upon Us

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Help preserve our priceless wildlife, beautiful land, and valuable homes by taking regular action towards fire prevention.

Back in the 1950’s Smokey the Bear became our mascot reminding us to do our part in preventing wildfires after an orphaned cub was rescued from a tree while local crews responded to a fire in the Captain Mountains of New Mexico. Unfortunately, our sunshine state of California is now the most wildfire-prone in the U.S. The contributing factors causing so much damage are the combination of our typical Santa Ana winds, dry brush, continuous drought conditions, and record-breaking heat waves that seem permanent. So far this year almost five thousand fires have been recorded, affecting almost one hundred fifty thousand acres.

Each year it is important for homeowners to take extra care in preventative measures. By being proactive and each of us doing our share, we can minimize the chances of fires starting near us.

Here are a few ways we can take preventative measures to safeguard our properties, our state, our home:

1. Never burn trash or leaves on a windy day.

2. Mind important city laws regarding fireworks.

3. Create a thirty-foot clearance radius around your structure, don’t forget to empty rain gutters and to over-grown trim trees and shrubs way back.

4. Do not park vehicles on dry grass and be sure to mow the lawn and/or use electric outdoor equipment prior to 10 A.M.

5. Be mindful when using outdoor cooking equipment like BBQs, smokers, turkey fryers, and of course fire pits to fully extinguish and use well beyond structural clearance guidelines.

Humans caused eighty-seven percent of wildfires in 2019. As prices of everything continue to soar, our insurance premiums and home policy coverages are and will continue to be affected due to many years of costly national natural disaster-related claims. Besides expensive property and structural damages, our brave firefighters put their lives on the line day after day and precious wildlife is lost. Remember that ‘Smokey the Bear’ says: ”Only you can prevent wildfires!”