Letter: This summer’s wildfire season could be bad, so prepare now

The early indicators of this year’s Wildfire Season point to an increased potential even here on the Coastside. Fires have already sprung up through out the state and just last weekend a wildland fire broke out behind the SLAC property on Sand Hill Rd. in Menlo Park. As of early May the State/ Federal 2007 Fire Season Outlook was not promising. It predicts an earlier than normal fire season, increased fire activity due to reduced rainfall and freeze killed vegetation from last winters cold snap. It also warns of a possible strain on the state’s fire suppression resources due to the increased Wildfire threat in the Serria and southern part of the state.
 
To help you prepare for this season our Wildland Fuels Reduction Program has returned. This year’s program features a drop off site located near the intersection of Entrada and Ventura in Cuesta La Honda. This site can be used free of charge by any coastside resident to drop off woody fuels removed from their property in an effort to come into compliance with state laws or as a part of a Wildfire improvement project. The site will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through July 8. Fuels dropped off at this location will be periodically chipped up by state fire crews. Information of this program can be viewed at www.Lahondafire.org           
 
We have several tools to help you understand what you can do to make your home as firesafe as possible. The La Honda Fire Brigade has a free Video Lending Library with tapes that show what you can be done to safeguard your home. Two of the best internet sites on this subject are www.firewise.org and www.fire.ca.gov. You can also contact any of the areas Fire Stations where fire personnel will be happy to answer your questions. They can be reached as follows: La Honda Fire- 747-0381, Cal-Fire Skylonda 851-1860, Cal-Fire Pescadero 879-0121. (Cal-Fire is the new name for CDF and acts as the San Mateo County Fire Dept.) PLEASE REMEMBER TO DIAL 911 FOR ALL EMERGENCIES. Do not call the stations directly.
 
Wildfire is a part of this states ecology and you can be assured fires will burn this year and most likely homes will be lost. It’s everyone’s duty to help reduce this threat and now is the time to do it.
 
If the La Honda Fire Brigade can be of any assistance you can reach us at the number shown above or E-mail the Chief at [email protected]

Larry Whitney
La Honda Fire Brigade