A batch of brush fires have popped up in Southern California. I expect this to continue. Dry weather over a prolonged period has exacerbated fire season. In what were occurrences that politely waited for the summer season to be over are now happening before we can bring our white slacks out. Brushfires everywhere.
First things first.
Have a plan:
Designate a meetup location for your family in case there is an evacuation. Go to the evacuation center if one is made available. Ensure a means of evacuating pets. Carry in your vehicle a battery powered radio for emergency alerts, believe me if there is an evacuation that thing is going bonkers no matter the station. A shovel, if possible water and emergency food as well. Make sure your important things are together and can be grabbed at a moments notice. Do not go around roadblocks, even if you live there.
More over the fleur-de-Kos
Preparing your home:
Ideally especially if you are abutting wildlands, be it open country or a lazy neighbor, you should have eight feet of vegetation, cleared to the ground. Cleared to the ground means down to the soil. Your local agricultural extension will explain the best fire resistant ground cover for your location and conditions.
Do not allow vegetation to contact your home or any structure on your property.
Keep your roof clear of debris. Maintain a long enough garden hose with a nozzle sufficient to spray the roof.
Make contact with your neghbors to address pet and other issues in case of absence during evacuation. Ensure every neghbor is able to evacuate. If not, make plans for them as well.
Most importantly don't panic and follow instructions.