September is National Preparedness Month
Each September, communities across the country observe National Preparedness Month, a reminder from FEMA to take steps now to be ready for emergencies and disasters. Here in Hidden Hills, the most serious threat we face is wildfire, and with changing conditions, it is no longer just a “fire season.” Today, experts agree that the risk is year-round.
Locally, we know this time of year as Santa Ana Wind Season, which runs from September through May, with the strongest winds usually arriving in December and January. These powerful, dry winds can reach 60 to 100 miles per hour, carrying dangerous embers for miles and putting homes directly in harm’s way.
That is why creating a non-combustible Zone 0 around your home is so important. Zone 0 does not mean removing all vegetation near your house. It means making thoughtful choices in your landscaping that reduce risk while still keeping your property beautiful. Defensible space is about balance, protecting your home while maintaining the character of our community.
Our partners at Fire Safe Marin have created an excellent flipbook guide for landscapers and homeowners that shows how to design defensible space without sacrificing style. The guide is available in both English and Spanish, and we encourage you to share it with your landscaper or gardener. (CLICK HERE to view Flipbook)
It is important to remember that wildfire safety is not only the responsibility of the City or the fire department. In a community like ours, located in the Wildland Urban Interface, every resident plays a vital role. What you do to prepare your home can make the difference in whether it has a fighting chance during a wildfire.
As we enter this Santa Ana Wind Season, we urge you to take steps, large or small, to protect your home, your family, and your neighborhood. Together, we can build a safer, more resilient Hidden Hills.
As we say in the Palisades and Eaton Fires, the fires grow rapidly, and the Fire Department gets overwhelmed.
It’s what YOU have done to protect your home from wildfire that will give it a fighting chance to survive a wildfire.
Wildfire is not something that happens to other people!
We chose to live in a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) community. Wildfire is our problem!
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 learn more)
- Do some Home Hardening and Defensible Space work (CLICK HERE to learn more)
- Know your zone, and be well prepared to evacuate quickly. (CLICK HERE to get your evacuation zone)
- 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