Wildfire

Each wildfire season, as soaring flames blacken thousands of acres, not unusual is the news that one or more responders have lost their lives.

When wildfires raged in San Diego County in 2003, more than 2400 businesses and homes were destroyed. The fires also claimed 16 lives. During each year's "fire season" in California, municipalities throughout the state send "strike teams" to back up state firefighters. The state firefighters call the shots.

At the Cedar wildfire, a backfire had been set to try to protect a home. The weather shifted, the firefighters were overrun by flames, and one died.

Such reports result in growing demand that lives not be risked to save structures. If people choose to live in wilderness areas, then clearing a firebreak around their home is just common sense. Should they fail to do so, more voices are saying, they have only themselves to blame if they lose their homes.

California's wildfire "red zones" now have more than 6-million homes dotting their steep slopes where thick brush provides ample tinder. One insurance report projects that in the next 10 years, those homes will multiply by 20 percent.

Unknown at present is whether there is a move afoot to officially change federal policy with regard to property protection in such zones. Some say, while U.S. Forestry Service firefighters might be able to get away with flat out refusing to risk lives for homes, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection firefighters could face political fall out if they fail to aggressively defend California structures.

Red zone property owners may argue that the property taxes they pay entitle them to top drawer fire protection. Others counter that no matter what they pay, no home is worth a human life.

TIPS FOR PREVENTING WILDFIRES: Densely wooded western forests of cedar, hemlock and fir, once ignited - burn intensely - and make traditional firefighting particularly hazardous. To protect homes and other structures, as well as responding firefighters:

• Construct roofs and exterior walls from non-combustible or fire resistant material such as slate, tile, sheet iron, aluminum, brick or stone. Treat wood siding, cedar shingles, exterior wood paneling and other highly combustible materials with fire retardant chemicals.
• Clean roof surfaces and gutters free of pine needles, leaves and branches regularly.
• Space landscape plants to limit fire from spreading to surrounding vegetation or structures.
• Maintain fuel breaks around all structures.
• Store gasoline only in approved containers, and well away from occupied buildings.
• Store firewood and other combustibles away from structures.
• Keep firefighting tools (such as ladders, shovels, rakes and water buckets) handy and water hoses connected.
• Have a fire escape and evacuation plan. Include current phone numbers for emergency service providers, just in case. Property entrances should be clearly posted, and it's a good idea to ensure roads and driveways are suitable for emergency vehicles (12 to 16 feet wide), with adequate turnaround space.
• Be careful when barbecuing, camping and even operating equipment near flammable brush or dry lawns. Even a carelessly discarded cigarette can spark a wildfire.

- Source: U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

For more information on how to protect your home from wildfire, visit http://www.fire.ca.gov/ or the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Forest Service at http://www.fs.fed.us/