FROM THE CHIEF'S CORNER: BRUSH FIRES AND FUTURE CONCERNS

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Chief’s Corner: Brush fires and future concerns

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

What is making these current weather conditions so dangerous is the obvious “high fire danger” currently, however, these warm, dry gusty winds are stripping already drought prone vegetation complete of any fuel moisture content.  With no rain forecasted and heading into summer months, fuels are/will be bone dry of any fuel moisture early into the season.

Gusty winds have/are blowing leaves/needles/twigs onto roof tops and rain gutters causing additional ignition points for embers during and fire.

Effective immediately, homeowners are urged to begin creating defensible space in accordance with their respective fire departments brush compliance requirements.

With drought conditions and fuel moisture content in vegetation at their critically lowest levels, we can expect a very active fire season effective immediately.  This will likely result in the possibility of multiple brush fires burning simultaneously which may impact resource availability.

Again, homeowners living in and near the wildland urban interface areas need to do their part in helping firefighters by beginning brush clearance/defensible space immediately.

Contact your local fire department for brush requirements and additional information!

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna


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