Fire Officials Urge Extra Caution May 26, 2003
By Jennifer Upshaw, IJ reporter
Prolonged wet weather followed by hot, dry days have prompted fire officials to issue warnings to be cautious as homeowners break out the weed-whacker and barbecue today.
"What we're finding is that we know from past experience that even though the hills appear to be green, very quickly those weather patterns can change," Novato Fire Protection District Deputy Fire Marshal Bill Tyler said. "It only takes really a few days for that grass to dry out."
He ought to know. Tyler said his department already has had some activity.
"We've actually had a grass fire already this summer on Redwood Boulevard," he said of the recent fire, sparked by a worker cutting rebar at a housing development under construction just south of San Marin Drive. "What was scary about that is we've had a number of fires in that same area before."
Marin County Fire Marshal Scott Alber said " I think these late rains will probably prolong the curing process. If you drive around West Marin there's still green, but it will make for greater fuel later."
The county, along with the San Rafael Fire Department and the Novato Fire Protection District, have begun outfitting fire engines with wildland fire equipment to prepare for the dry summer season.
Bradley Mark, deputy fire marshal in San Rafael, said it's never too early.
"I've noticed in the past few days thing seem to be browning pretty quickly," he said. "We're not overly, by any means, excited. There are so many areas in San Rafael and Marin County that haven't burned in so many years it doesn't matter if it's an extremely bad year. If it's going to burn, it's gong to burn."
Fire officials said today's holiday from work offers an excellent opportunity to cut tall weeds from around structures.
"Defensive space, that's my mantra," Alber said. "Because we got late rains, all the growth we're going to see has happened. Probably if you did it now you probably won't have to do it again (this season)."
Fire officials recommend clearing an area of flammable vegetation a distance of 30 feet around homes. Property owners who live on hillsides should extend the break to up to 100 feet from the home, depending on the slope. Shrubs within the zone should be less than four feet high and limbs should be cut from trees at least six feet from the ground.
Firefighters recommend seasonal grasses be trimmed to less than three inches.
Novato's Tyler said that while you're out cutting back the grass, check other plants as well. Flammable vegetation, such as juniper and rosemary, burn "like gasoline," he said. Shredded mulching might be cheap and attractive, but Tyler said it burns even better than dry grass.
"Get this list of plants and walk around your house and make plans for removing and replacing them," Tyler said of the list of flammable vegetation available from the fire district by calling 878-2690.
San Rafael's Mark also recommends homeowners use today's holiday to get rid of all the junk, such as lawn furniture, wood piles and plastics, that can pile up alongside homes.
Yardwork should be done in the early morning, when the dew point is still high and the air still cool. When working with tools, use string line instead of bladed equipment, and keep a hose nearby should sparks start to fly, fire officials said.
Reward yourself with a hearty barbecue, and when it's over, dispose of coals in metal containers only.
"It just seems like every year we have a least one fire where someone put coals in something other than metal containers," Mark said of his experience in San Rafael.
Once today's work is done, ongoing programs are in place around the county to keep areas at high risk free of fuel to feed fires.
Novato fire officials have identified a number of areas in the district as high fire risk. Neighbors have received letters or door hangers recommending they clear their property of flammable vegetation and offering free fire risk assessments, a service that is available to all residents in the district.
Chipper days, when the district splits the cost with homeowner associations to bring in Marin Conservation Corps or private tree services, also are held in Novato. Neighbors clear vegetation themselves and dispose of it for free. A similar program is under way in San Rafael.
Another step that could save lives and property involves talking to young children about fire safety.
Two major fires in two summers in Novato in which homes were lost were caused by children playing with fire, Tyler said.
"For families with young children it's important for them to reiterate they not play with matches and fireworks," he said, adding children hanging out with kids playing with fire should be encouraged to leave the group and report the activity to an adult.
"When you're young, we're conditioned that fire is a good thing," he said. "Candles are on the cake and the kids blow out the candles, they want to help light the barbecue, help light the fire - all those things are warm, familiar, comfortable things. Then they try to do these things on their own."
Contact Jennifer Upshaw via e-mail at jupshaw@marinij.com
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Monday, September 6, 2010