| In 2007, a fire started by downed power lines | | | | If there are several homes to defend, they may |
| and driven by 60-80 miles-per-hour wind, swept | | | | not have the time to cut their way in and may |
| through Malibu. The Sheriffs' Department came to | | | | move on to the next house. Do not let your |
| our home at 4:30 AM and told us we had 15 | | | | automatic driveway gate roll closed behind you. |
| minutes to evacuate. Hopefully, even in the most | | | | Keep the doors and windows to the garage and |
| serious circumstances, you will have more than 15 | | | | house closed, to prevent any wind blown embers |
| minutes notice. | | | | from entering. Leave doors unlocked in case fire |
| If fire weather has been predicted, fire crews | | | | personnel need access to a rear deck or other |
| may be predeployed. They are divided into "strike | | | | area. |
| teams" each of which consists of five engines, | | | | Leaving open access to your property is critical. |
| four men to an engine. Strike teams will be | | | | Of all the instructions concerning fire protection, |
| engaged in "structure protection," trying to | | | | this is the least mentioned, and one of the most |
| prevent your home from burning down. | | | | important. |
| If there are strong winds, there may be little they | | | | Second - Buy wide diameter (up to 3/4") garden |
| can do but get out of the way. If there is a | | | | hose in 100-foot lengths and leave it connected to |
| possibility of defense, they will try. One engine or | | | | your outdoor spigots. If there is a fire in your |
| more may be on your street, ready to defend | | | | area, do it the night before. Firefighters have to |
| nearby homes. This means 4, maybe 8 or 12, | | | | hook their hoses to nearby hydrants, and run |
| firefighters might have to defend your entire | | | | them to their engine. Fire hoses cannot be |
| street. If they must to decide which homes to | | | | everywhere at once. They are heavy and hard to |
| protect, they will pick the ones which are most | | | | move around in a split second. If there is water |
| accessible. | | | | pressure and a spot fire starts around your |
| Make it easy for firefighters to defend your | | | | house, a wide-diameter garden hose might be |
| home. Here is a list of things you should do before | | | | used to extinguish it. |
| you evacuate: | | | | Third - Get your barbecue propane tank out of |
| First - Leave the gates to your yard unlocked. | | | | the way! If you have a barbecue near your |
| Leave your driveway gate open. I have watched | | | | house, shut the tank valve, disconnect it, and get |
| firefighters use rotary saws, bolt cutters and | | | | it away from the house. |
| crowbars to gain access to yards and driveways. | | | | |