HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH CAL FIRE CAPTAIN MIKE CORNETTE
Don't get burned! Safety tips to prepare for wildfires
By Miriam Raftery
September 30, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal Fire Captain and Public Information Officer Mike Cornette, in an interview aired on the East County Magazine Radio Show on KNSJ, offered an outlook on peak wildfire season, information on new Zone Zero defensible space requirements around homes, as well as tips to prepare for wildfires and keep your household safe.
On the fall outlook for wildfires, he notes that fire season is now year-round. “We’ve seen large fires anywhere from January to December in every different part of the state, every different part of the county.” Now that peak fire season approaches, there is heavy grass from last winter’s heavy rains, “so we’re still expecting potential for large wildland fires through December.”
Recent major fires in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange and San Bernadino Counties should be a "wakeup call" for residents across California to be prepared for wildfires by creating defensible space around homes and being ready to evacuated if needed.
Captain Cornette urges people to maintain defensible space from 0 to 100 feet around your home—thinning fuels in the morning, with high humidity and lower temperatures, “to make it more survivable.”
New Zone-Zero requirements in effect have not yet enforced on existing construction but only on new construction in state responsibility areas. To learn if you’re in an area where this is now required on existing homes, view the map at: Fire.CA.Gov
In Zone Zero, the first five feet from your home, it’s a violation to have anything flammable including dry brush, wood fences, wood decks, firewood, etc. Green, well irrigated landscaping is alright. “Embers can travel miles ahead of the fire,” he says, noting that embers, not flames, are what burns many homes. It helps you survive in your home if you have to shelter in place.
Ember-resistant vents are also important to keep embers out of your attic—have either metal netting or fire-safe gable vents able to extinguish embers before they enter. Wire mesh should be 1/8 inch ideally.
Zone One is 5-50 feet from your home; remove dead plants, dead or dying leaves, trim trees up from ground to have vertical and horizontal spacing so fire won’t be carried shrub-to-shrub or shrub-to-tree.
Zone Two is 50-100 feet or to the property line; trim grass to 4 inches or less, be sure bushes are not close to trees to avoid ladder fires, space bushes out.
A new option is to create a FireWise Community, where the County Fire’s Community Risk Reduction and Firesafe Council works with the state Insurance Commissioner. This can help reduce your fire insurance rates and keep the area safer. “Get involved with fire safe councils and engage with your neighbors” to help keep everyone safe. There are now several FireWise communities in San Diego County; these can be a city, or a smaller neighborhood community.
Finally, Captain Cornette urges people to evacuate immediately when asked to do so.
“These fires to our north are a good wakeup call to make sure we have those evacuation plans in order; have that go bag packed and by the door” with emergency supplies for all people and pets, including food and water for 72 hours, medications, and more to keep you and your family members safe.
FIRE RESOURCES:
Provided by Cal Fire, San Diego County, and East County Magazine
Websites
https://www.fire.ca.gov/ fact sheets and incidents throughout California, with 3-D maps and summaries of current fires
https://www.fire.ca.gov/dspace defensible space information
https://readyforwildfire.org/ tips to prepare and prevent wildfires
https://www.alertsandiego.org/
https://www.listoscalifornia.org/
https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/news/wildfire-news
Sign up to receive for free East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts via email
Applications
Genasys Protect (real time information and evacuation maps)
Social Media
@SDSheriff on X
@AlertSanDiegoCo on X (County Office of Emergency Services)
Important Notes
-Make sure your phone is able to receive wireless emergency alerts
-Register your phone at Alert San Diego for emergency alerts
-Alert San Diego alerts are also available in Spanish and American Sign Language
Additional resources from Supervisor Joel Anderson:
Ready, Set, Go! - Your Personal Wildland Fire Action Guide
This guide put together by CAL FIRE and the County Office of Emergency Services is a great place to start learning about how to protect your home and prepare for evacuation. It also contains checklists to keep you organized.
Fire Safe Council of San Diego County
Available resources and workshops at the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County include no-cost chipping, the defensible space assistance program, and community wildfire protection plans.
Be Prepared for Public Safety Power Shutoffs
If dangerous high fire risk conditions are present, SDG&E may shut off power as a last resort to keep your community safe. Learn how to prepare for potential power outages through SDG&E’s preparedness guide.
Create Your Own Emergency Supply Kit
Everyone should have an emergency supply kit readily available, especially in case of a wildfire. Check out AlertSanDiego’s tips on creating your own kit.
Preparedness Plans for People Who May Need Assistance and their Caregivers
Refer to this plan specially created for older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers -- provided by the County Office of Emergency Services.
Are Your Pets Prepared for an Emergency?
This informative video and article give you recommendations from the County Office of Emergency Services and Department of Animal Services on how to prepare your pets for an emergency, including a wildfire.
Disaster Preparedness for Livestock
East County is also home to numerous ranches and farms. Keep yourself and your animals safe by following these tips provided by the County Department of Animal Services.
California Statewide Fire Map
This map managed by CAL FIRE provides the general locations of major active fires burning in California.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Not only is CERT a response team, but they provide free emergency preparedness training and activities for residents in the unincorporated areas of the County.
Neighborhood Evacuation Team (NET) Program
This program was designed to assist residents with access and a functional needs plan to help them prepare for evacuation.
Asbestos and Natural Disasters Guide
Learn how to prevent asbestos exposure when preparing for and cleaning up after a natural disaster.
See also: Asbestos and Its Dangers - What is Asbestos? and Homeowner's Guide to Asbestos
Navigating Disasters and Mental Health
When a disaster strikes, stress due to uncertainty, instability, and loss can be overwhelming. But you and your loved ones can recover with support. Here’s what you need to know about how to get through a disaster and its aftermath.
Cutter Law's California Wildfire Safety Guide
Learn everything you need to know about wildfires and how to stay safe in this guide from Cutter Law.
Click Here to Visit Supevisor Anderson’s Resources Page
Audio:
Newsmaker=CalFireCaptMikeCornette.mp3