From The Chief - July 2009
As I write this, we’re a little over a month into Fire Season 2009, and whereas by this time last summer we had already experienced the three worst wildland fires in Santa Cruz County history, this year has (so far) been relatively mild by comparison. Nonetheless, last year’s fires were a dramatic reminder that under the right conditions, the vegetation that helps make this area so beautiful will burn and burn well.
To recap, Fire Season 2008 started on May 22 with the wind-driven Summit Fire above Corralitos. This 4,270 acre fire was followed by the Martin Fire in Bonny Doon on June 11 and the Trabing Fire, just south of the Aptos-La Selva Fire District boundary, on June 20. In total, the three fires burned 5,420 acres and 71 dwellings.
While these fires were indeed tragic for people who lost homes and animals they also served to illustrate some positive things and some important lessons. First, all three fires demonstrated the strength and importance of the California Mutual Aid system. For the Trabing Fire alone, 90 fire engines, 12 hand crews, and numerous bulldozers, air tankers, water tenders and helicopters were dispatched and on-scene within the first twelve hours. Second, thanks largely to the efforts of local law enforcement agencies in coordinating thousands of evacuations, no one was seriously hurt or killed in any of the fires. Finally, the fires proved that creating “defensible space” around homes and using fire-resistive building techniques and construction materials can greatly increase a home’s chance of surviving a wildland fire.
What is “defensible space?” It’s the area around a home where the vegetation has been modified to give firefighters a chance to defend it from an encroaching wildland fire. For more information on creating defensible space around your home, I encourage you to download the new version of “Living With Fire” from the “Home Fire Safety” tab on our website. This document provides step by step guidance on protecting your home and property from wildland fires. And, as always, if you have any questions, please call us at 685-6690.
Besides fire season, the other major issue for firefighters throughout California is the economy and its effect on budgets and our ability to continue to provide fire protection services. Fortunately, as a result of a stable property tax base and many years of conservative financial management by our Board of Directors, the Aptos La Selva Fire District is weathering the current recession with only minor adjustments. No reduction in staffing or services are planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future.
Please have a safe and enjoyable summer and please continue to check our website for safety updates and news about your fire district.
Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District