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Editorial: Not too early to prepare for fire season

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Gov. Jerry Brown has declared this as “Wildfire Awareness Week,” and for good reason.

The late-summer, early-fall wildfire season may seem a ways off, but now is a good time to take steps to make sure your property, whether a small lot or larger back-county space, is prepared to defend against flames.

Some may be thinking that since San Diego County received ample El Niño generated rainfall over the winter and spring that wildfire dangers have been reduced. Understandable, but not true.

Firefighting experts are saying that enough rain has fallen to sprout thicker-than-usual grasses and weeds. These will dry out as summer progresses and turn into prime fuel for a spark.

In a recent press release Ron Roberts, chairman of the county Board of Supervisors, wrote “Experience has shown us that those who maintain low-fuel defensible space around their homes better protect their property, and the lives of those who will defend it, against fire.”

Take a few moments to look around your property.

Is there a 100-foot clear space around buildings?

Are there branches hanging overhead?

A rooftop gutter full of dead leaves?

What about accumulated trash near your home? Do you and your family have an emergency evacuation plan?

If you think you’re “safe” because your lot is in a residential neighborhood, look back at photos taken in San Diego Country Estates in 2003 or Magnolia Avenue in 2007. Wind-whipped flames make no distinction between rural and residential homes.

It’s also important to be connected to emergency services in the event of an approaching wildfire. Register your cell phones and email addresses with AlertSanDiego at tinyurl.com/AlertSD and download the county’s free SD Emergency App in English or Spanish at tinyurl.com/SDEmerApp.

The app also offers information in American Sign Language and in a text size that is adjustable. The county also posts emergency information on Twitter at ReadySanDiego or ListoSanDiego (in Spanish).

Ramona Fire Department’s Open House on Saturday is a good place to receive valuable information. It will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Station 80, 829 San Vicente Road.

The wildfire season may be a few months away, but “Wildfire Awareness Week” is a reminder to begin planning for it now.

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