Ready, Set, Go! Wildfire Emergency Preparedness
The foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains are one of the most beautiful places to live in Southern California. Living in this area is not without threat. If your home borders a natural area, in what firefighters call the Wildland Urban Interface, you are directly at risk from a wildfire. Throughout history, fire was a frequent, and naturally occurring, event in this environment. Unfortunately, the risk of a wildland fire is now a year-round threat to many communities, requiring vigilance on the part of both the fire service and residents alike.
The La Verne Fire Department takes every precaution to help protect you and your family from the threat of a wildland fire. However, in the event of a major wildfire, there will simply not be enough resources to defend every home, especially during the first hours of a major wildfire. You must become part of the solution. Successfully preparing for a wildfire requires you to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family, and your property. This publication will help guide you through the process of making your home resistant to wildfires as well as preparing your family to leave early and safely. We call this process, “Ready, Set, Go!”
The La Verne Fire Department has prepared the “Ready, Set, Go!” action plan to help you prepare. You will learn about the tips and tools you need to prepare, the importance of having defensible space around your home and the preparations you need to make so you can leave early, evacuating well ahead of a fast approaching fire. Wildfires, fueled by a build-up of dry vegetation and driven by hot, dry “Santa Ana” winds, are extremely dangerous and almost impossible to control. Many residents have built their homes and landscaped without fully understanding the impact a fire could have on them. Additionally, few residents are prepared for a quick evacuation and often wait until it is too late.
It’s not a question of if, but when, the next wildfire will occur. That’s why the most important person protecting your life and property is not a firefighter, but you. With advanced planning and preparation, you can dramatically increase your safety and the survivability of your property. We hope you’ll find the information on the next pages helpful as you prepare your home and family for a wildfire. Remember: Ready, Set, Go!