How To Defend Your Home Against Wildfires

Fire danger this year is very worrisome with meteorological indicators suggesting abnormally hot and dry summer weather patterns.

Even with the cooler weather, fires have already been reported in open space lands in the San Francisco Bay Area. Fire Officials throughout Northern California are concerned with this early fire activity.

As we do each year, the San Carlos Fire Department is urging city residents to clear brush and grasses to a minimum of 30-ft to 100-ft from their homes to create a defensible space. The cleared section should not be to bare dirt. The CalFire motto says it all: "You provide the defense and we provide the offense".

Mowing grasses and weeds 4"-6" inches in height are some steps you can take that will reduce the hazardous fuels and reduce the spread of wildfires. Low growing fire resistant vegetation is also encouraged to be planted around the home. Removing dead and dry brush around the home should be done in the same fashion as with the grasses.

And removing dead and dying tree limbs six to eight feet from the ground should also be done to create this defensible space. Removing pine needles and other debris from your roof and gutters is a critical measure in protecting your home from a fire.

Also, as the summer holiday season nears, residents must be aware that all forms of fireworks are illegal in San Carlos. This includes fireworks advertised as "safe and sane" as listed by the California State Fire Marshal's Office.

Furthermore, the fire department will be out this fire season inspecting residential areas to make sure homeowners are complying with local and state fire codes.

For more information about how to plan for fire season, please contact the San Carlos Fire Department at 802-4300.

-- Jim Palisi

Fire Marshal, San Carlos Fire Department