September is National Preparedness Month. It’s an annual observance sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to remind everyone to prepare for emergencies and disasters.
For years, we have been talking about “Fire Season.” The trend in articles lately is to say Fire Season is now year-round. So, as we move into this dangerous period where the threat of wildfire increases dramatically, let’s call it “Santa Ana Wind Season.”
Santa Ana Wind Season occurs between September and May, and is known to peak in December and January. These strong, dry gusts, which can reach 60 to 100 miles per hour, are the catalyst for our biggest threat, embers.
The air from the high-pressure systems over the Great Basin desert is forced through the mountains toward the low-pressure system on the California coast.
It’s a powerful force ready to transport embers from miles away onto your property and into your home.
If you think this is your City’s problem, or believe that your fire department will be there to defend you,
you are not understanding the science or listening to the messaging.
Wildfire is not something that happens to other people!
We chose to live in a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) community. Wildfire is our problem!
It’s what YOU do to protect your home from wildfire that will give it a fighting chance to survive a wildfire.
We urge you, as we enter this Santa Ana Wind Season, to do something to protect life and property in your community.
- Get your home assessed to identify your vulnerabilities (CLICK HERE to fill out our form)
- Do some Home Hardening and Defensible Space work (CLICK HERE to learn more)
- Be prepared to evacuate quickly. (CLICK HERE for more information)
- Connect with Ventura County Emergency (CLICK HERE to connect)
- Talk to your neighbors and get them to take action. What your neighbor does or doesn’t do does affect you.
Give your home a fighting chance, and keep your family safe.
Image Credit: Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times
Image Credit: Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times
