With the month of May beginning this week, with its warmer weather, lower humidity and drying vegetation, Cal Fire is urging Bay Area homeowners to do all they can to protect against fire.
SACRAMENTO -- With the month of May beginning this week, with its warmer weather, lower humidity and drying vegetation, Cal Fire is urging Bay Area homeowners to do all they can to protect against fire.
'Fires are mostly caused by the human factor,' Cal Fire Battalion Chief Robert Carvalho. 'For example, if a fire starts in someone's back yard, it's likely their lawn mower blade hit a rock and struck a spark.'To help guard against this, Carvalho said it's best to mow the lawn before 10 a.m. Keeping the grass short is actually a good way to help minimize the risk of fire - just don't mow when it's hot out.More tips on clearing vegetation: String trimmers are safer than lawnmowers. And when watering during times of drought, be sure to remove all dead or dying vegetation.In addition to these tips, Cal Fire emphasizes that defensible space is one of the most important ways to protect a home against fire. Defensible space is the buffer between a structure and the surrounding area.'No stacks of wood next to the home,' the battalion chief said.The first five feet from the home is the most important, according to Cal Fire. Keeping the area closest to buildings, structures, and decks clear will prevent embers from igniting materials that can spread the fire to a home. The majority of homes lost to wildfire are ignited by flying embers.More tips are available on the Cal Fire website at https://www.fire.ca.gov/dspace.While urging homeowners to prepare, the agency is doing the same. Cal Fire is taking steps to get ready for the increased risk posed by warmer weather, the battalion chief said.'Over the last couple weeks, our fire crews have been doing preparedness exercises, rehearsing working with hoses and hiking while wearing heavy fire gear,' Carvalho said.
Wildfires California Wildfires
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
CAL FIRE trains seasonal firefighting force in North Bay to gear up for 2024 wildfire seasonIn the North Bay, Cal Fire is already gearing up for the 2024 fire season.
Read more »
CAL FIRE demonstrates new off-roading ambulance for rescues in rugged terrainWith a 2-inch lift kit, upgraded suspension, and bigger tires, these new ambulances respond to calls in sandy, rocky terrain where typical ambulances can't go.
Read more »
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized for a series of tests following return to New YorkOceanside Fire officials said as of 7 p.m. on Friday, the fire is declared 'under control'.
Read more »
A breakdown of all the Trump legal cases that unfolded this weekOceanside Fire officials said as of 7 p.m. on Friday, the fire is declared 'under control'.
Read more »
Fire Rescue: Charging golf cart sparks house fire in St. Johns CountyThe event featured free bird hikes, specifically tailored for observing migratory birds that make pit stops along the First Coast during spring migration.
Read more »
‘A huge win’: Massive York County factory fire could’ve been much worse, fire chief saysEmbers from the blaze landed as far as two and a half miles away, according to the Eureka Volunteer Fire Company chief.
Read more »