Monrovia fire season here now! Loving the mild summer temperatures, and on shore moisture, we know this will to pass! Let the Colorado fires remind us to prepare now. While fire is needed, and inevitable in our coastal sagebrush hills, it can be devastating to people and dwellings. The time to do home fuel reduction is NOW! When you see smoke it is too late.
Remove dead brush, and thin landscaping. Wind swept ambers are like giant sparklers blasting straight at your home. Remove leaves from gutters, and trim trees away from your roof. While there is no such thing as fire proof, we can be safer!
In fire zones, what grows around homes makes a huge difference. Removing all vegetation invites non native flammable weeds to take over. Non native invasive plants like: Fountain Grass, Palm Trees, Castor Bean, Tree of Heaven, Morning Glory, and Passion vines, Bougainvillea, and Spanish Broom can be a huge problem. These and more are highly flammable. Tall vines and palms are favorites for fires to climb.
This is a great pulication about fire safty and native plants.
http://www.cnps.org/cnps/publications/fremontia/Fremontia_Vol38-No2-3.pdf
Have a neighborhood watch meeting, and talk about a plan. Help neighbors that are elderly, or disabled. If you have a negligent, uncooperative neighbor, talk to the city about possible actions. Report illegal fire works, and any other dangerous behavior. No private fire works are legal in Monrovia!
Invite the fire department to come talk about more information!
Call to report illegal fireworks 256-8000, if you see fire or smoke call 911.
Have a family meeting! Plan where to go if you have to get out fast. The Colorado fire came down the mountain in 6 minutes! You may not have time to get anything but yourself out. If you do, have a list ready of what is most important. Keep essentials ready to grab and go!
My photos are from Altadena, before the Station fire and after fire recovery.
Happy 4th of July, and please be fire safe! Please comment on your fire safe plans!
