What to do before the flames get close
The wildfires that have consumed over 38,000 acres and destroyed more than 18 homes in the Santa Clarita Valley mountains are a chilling reminder of just how vulnerable we can be. The Sand fire also claimed a least one life, and forced the evacuation of more than 20,000 people.
We consulted the Los Angeles city and county fire departments for advice on what steps you can take to help protect your home — no matter where you live — from brush fire.
Here’s what they had to say, in graphic form:
Protecting your home from wildfire
Southern California is no stranger to destructive wildfires. Although homeowners cannot control Mother Nature, they can take several precautions, notably brush clearance, to reduce fire danger.
Clearing your land
Brush clearance is one of the best ways to protect your home from
wildfire. In Los Angeles, grass around a home should be kept no
higher than 3 inches, and branches and foliage must be kept at least 5 feet from any root surface — and 10 feet from a chimney outlet. Violations can trigger hundreds of dollars in fees.
For more information:
For more guidance, see www.lafd.org/brush and www.readyforwildfire.org. Also consult your local fire authority as
ordinances can vary depending on where you live.