Join CV Fire Safe Council

2009-03-12T14:29:00.000-07:00

The Crescenta Valley Fire Safe Council is an all volunteer group of neighbors who want to bring a higher level of preparedness to our community of fire safe practices before our next wild fire hits our community. You can participate at any level that meets your style and availability. Our goal is to bring information to you and your neighbors that will contribute to your ability to make informed decisions about what to do and when to do it in such a way as to minimize panic and maximize your safety while preserving your property. Many of the things you will learn will be done months before an event and only require focus and determination to make them happen.
You can participate at the most basic level by subscribing to our reverse dial Emergency Notification System. This is a centralized calling service designed to alert you on any of your communication devices (phone, cell phone, PDA, text message, and email) and to be complimentary to our governments reverse 911 service that will call your primary phone number in the event of an emergency. Our service will keep you in touch with the latest information coming from the incident command and contributing members of our community in the field. A subscription to the CV FSC Emergency Notification System is only $10 per year. You can sign up here Just click on "Add a New Member" and send your check for $10 to CVFSC, 2902 Hopeton Rd. La Crescenta, CA 91214. If you have questions call Roger Young at 818 249 8446 or email him at CVFireSafeCouncil@gmail.com. If you are already in the database we hope you will still support our organization by sending in your check for $10. In return we invite you to add additional phone numbers like your second line or the number of your family member designated as your off site contact in the event of an emergency. Cell phones, PDA's and email may also be added for your $10 subscription.
We have lots of committees where your help will be welcomed. Call to discuss.


One Call Now - Mass notification service for emergency response and disaster recovery


One Call Now - Emergency alerts and notification service for your community

Surviving A Wildfire. Are You Ready?

2009-03-11T12:36:00.000-07:00

34 Years ago, on Sunday, November 23, 1975, the Mill fire began in Kagel Canyon. By Monday evening the fire had consumed 47,000 acres stretching from Tujunga to Goss Canyon, just to the West of Briggs Terrace and the Eastern border of the unincorporated area of La Crescenta. At one point, being fanned by 60 to 90 mph winds it was consuming over 180 acres per minute. Before it was over it destroyed 12 homes in the Glendale portion of La Crescenta and 1 home here on Cloudcrest. At the top of Pennsylvania on Rimhill, 5 homes were burned to the ground. On Hopeton Road the fire attacked with all its fury at 5:30 AM while the Merced Fire department had taken a stand to defend the rest of La Crescenta along Markridge Road. Neighbor David Robertson and I were the sole defenders on this end of Hopeton Road putting out embers and spot fires before the fire crews finally made a sweep through the neighborhood around 6 AM, 30 minutes after it had burned through. There were other neighborhood stalwarts standing with garden hoses on their shake shingle roofs, including John Beckman, Jim Ransford, Tony Smith, John Hubbard and I’m sure others who’s names escape me.

A lot has transpired since then, including fire resistant roofs, County Fire enforcing 200 foot brush clearances around our property, better inter agency cooperation and communications, improved tools for the home owner in foam and fire gels, and knowledge acquired from experience around the world on how to manage the wild fire that will come our way. It’s not a matter of whether but just when. The time before 1975 was 1934. Will it come again in 2009? More importantly, will you be ready if it comes in 2009

I believe that I am responsible for the preparation and defense of my property against a wild fire. Hours before the fire arrives, Hoses will have been laid out in front and rear yards. My gas powered water pump will be primed with water from the pool. I will have covered my vents, gelled my house and shrubs, loaded my car with 35 items contained on my evacuation list, my grab and go bag, Buddy the dog and (Oh yeah, Carol) and we will evacuate at least an hour before the fire reaches our back yard. I will have departed feeling confident that I have done everything within my power to survive the event.

Having a plan in place will contribute greatly to your safety and will minimize property loss.

(The following information and links have been collected from various web sites who's attribution is noted)

Each year, wildfires destroy hundreds of homes and acreage. When a wildfire does strike, it can occur with little warning and spread quickly. Fire crews and equipment can be overwhelmed by the task of fighting a rapidly advancing wildfire. There simply may not be enough personnel and equipment to defend every home.

Falling embers, sometimes from miles away, presents one of the greatest dangers in a wildfire situation. A single hot ember could make your home or property a secondary incident, with fire department resources already devoted to fighting the main fire miles away.

Being prepared can give you the edge in making your home a "winner" instead of a "loser" with both lives and property being saved if you take a few simple precautions...



				Plan ahead early Clean up around your home and property Ember proof your home Setup a water delivery system Add Foam-Fast™ or a Fire Gel to your water delivery system Know when to get out

1. PLAN AHEAD EARLY

Don't wait until the fire season has started. Precautions should be taken before summer to help save your home, even if fire comes while you are away. A well prepared home has a better chance of being saved than an unprepared one.

Even by doing some simple cleanup and adding a Foam-Fast™ Wildfire Pre-Treatment Kit to each of your garden hoses, you will have the beginnings of a basic plan of defense.

2. CREATE DEFENSIBLE SPACE AROUND YOUR HOME AND PROPERTY

Fires are spread and fueled by flammable grasses, weeds, trees and bushes.

Cut down grass, clear leaves and dead undergrowth within 30-50 feet of buildings
Clear all dry grass and bark well back from the walls
Space trees so that there is NOT a continuous canopy from brushland to house
Remove tree limbs which overhang the roof or decks.
All nearby trees should have lower branches pruned away to provide a vertical firebreak which will prevent the ground fire spreading into them
Keep gutters clear of leaves & twigs and screen with metal gutter guards.

3. EMBER PROOF YOUR HOME

Many houses lost in wildfires have caught fire ON THE INSIDE, caused by burning debris or embers blown through uncovered openings - windows, doors, eaves, the roof space or under the house. This is a very important point. Your home - and your family - have a much better chance of surviving a bushfire if the house is ember proof.

Treat all exterior wood surface with intumescant paint or other fire rated coating.
Install metal mesh or solid screens will seal windows, doors, ventilators and skylights.
Eaves and under-floor areas should be boxed in or screened over
Pay particular attention to gaps in the roof area, along the ridge cap and facia.

4. SET UP A WATER SUPPLY AND DELIVERY SYSTEM

It is essential to make provision for an adequate water supply for firefighting. You cannot rely on public water mains or electricity during a wildfire. Your water supply and delivery system should be totally independent of utilities which, in the event of an emergency, may be inadequate or non-existent. (Remember the Oakland Hills fire in the SF Bay Area?)

Tanks, dams and swimming pools can provide necessary reserves provided you have the proper pump and enough hose to reach all areas to be protected. Ideally the system should provide coverage to the entire house as well as the defensible space around it.

The delivery system should provide a MINIMUM 100 PSI nozzle pressure AT THE RATED FLOW OF THE NOZZLE YOU WILL BE USING. This provides compatibility with and proper operation of standard firefighting nozzles and foam equipment. Remember to take into account friction losses through long hose runs too!

IMPORTANT NOTE ON PUMPS: Do not be misled by some pump dealers who claim high flow rates and pressures but don't provide a pump curve. Ask to see a pump curve before you buy and insist on 100+ psi at your desired operating flow!

In addition, your delivery system should be easy to use. Reading a manual is the last thing you want to be doing in the middle of a fire event!

Your water supply and delivery system should also be clearly labeled and designed to provide easy access for your local fire agency. Check with your local fire department for recommendations on making your equipment readily accessible.

Also, be sure to test your equipment at least annually to ensure proper operation, to account for all supplies and to make sure it is working as designed. Gasoline engines need their oil and gas replaced no less than once a season. The last thing you want to be doing during a fire is servicing your pumps engine!

NOTE: The NFPA has a formula for calculating the amount of water required to protect a specific structure. (Ref: NFPA 1142, Standard on Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting, 1999 Edition)

5. KNOW WHEN TO GET OUT

Your property can be replaced but not your life or the life of a loved one.

Foam-Fast™ or fire gel can provide a extra level of protection against the threat of a wildfire. However, no matter what steps you take there is no guarantee that you can protect your property. Although Foam-Fast™ can be used to directly attack a fire, unless you have no other choice that is best left to professional firefighters.

When possible, "Pre-treat then Retreat™"

Always have a evacuation plan in mind and when in doubt, get out!

6. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For more information on defensive space and what you can do to protect your home & family, check out these related website links:

NOTE: Thanks to Foam Fast Fire Fighters Pre Applicators for the above information. Their products can be ordered at: http://www.foam-fast.com/areyoufiresafe.html If any of the above links do not work the providers server may be temporarily down. The information contained on this page has been compiled from a variety of sources. No guarantee is made as to the accuracy of any of the information and the views expressed are offered only as general information. Information contained on linked pages are those of the respective authors and are not necessarily the opinions of Western DataLynx Inc, it's employees or dealers. Firefighting is serious business and we advise you to consult with your local fire agency for specific recommendations regarding fire safety in and around your home and property.