The Firebreak
The Newsletter of the Olivenhain Fire Safe Council
October 2022
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From the President
Welcome to the October issue of The Firebreak! We’ve been busy with some administrative tasks, as well as laying the groundwork for the pilot Neighborhood Ambassador program (including starting the Community Wildfire Protection Plan process as part of that effort), so we skipped the September issue of the newsletter.
We’re now squarely in the middle of fire season—a time to be especially vigilant about anything that could spark a fire, like using power equipment incorrectly and at the wrong time of day. Now is not the time to use mechanized equipment late in the day, for instance, because one spark could start a fire. It’s also time to make sure you and your family are prepared in case the worst (a wildfire) comes to pass. Assemble a Go bag for everyone in your family, and make sure you have everything your pets need as well (food, water, bedding, leashes, medications, bowls, etc.), in case you need to evacuate. (You can refer to our brochure on evacuation for more detailed information.) You’ll also want to make sure your key mobile devices are charged and that you have some fully charged power banks to keep them working if Santa Anas come and there’s an extended Public Safety Power Shutoff.
I’m pleased to report that our application for 501(c)3 nonprofit status is in the hands of our attorney, and OFSC finally has its own bank account. You can now contribute to us directly by writing a check to Olivenhain Fire Safe Council and mailing it to the address below. Soon we’ll be adding Zelle and PayPal options as well. (We were delighted to recently receive a generous $500 donation from a community member who supports our mission.) Your contribution will help cover our overhead and some enhancements to help spread the word about wildfire preparedness and prevention.
I also want to mention that it's not too late to join the pilot Neighborhood Ambassador program if you'd like to help make your own neighborhood more resilient and fire-safe! Contact me for more information. And looking ahead, we could use some help with our booth at the Olivenhain Town Council's annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair on November 12 (see below).
Special thanks to our friends at the Kensington Fire Safe Council, who shared their article on how to deal with neighbors who won't keep their properties fire-safe and gave us permission to adapt and use it here (see below).
Please stay alert and stay safe (see Halloween safety tips below), and stay tuned for more news as it emerges. We hope to see many of you at the OTC's Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair next month!
—Sarah Lifton
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EFD presents workshops on how to protect your home from wildfire
Fire protection staff from the Encinitas Fire Department held two workshops for Olivenhain residents on July 30 and August 13, focused on structure hardening and creating defensible space. Attendees learned the basics about preparing their homes to withstand wildfire and accommodate the firefighters working to save them, and had ample opportunity to ask questions of the fire marshal and deputy fire marshals, who made the presentations.
The workshops, which were the same for both sessions, addressed fire behavior (think embers, flames and radiant heat, plus terrain), defensible space zones, and ensuring adequate clearance of vegetation for fire engine and firefighter access and safety.
In particular, the marshals stressed the importance of the 0-5-foot non-combustible zone next to a structure and non-combustible construction, like Class A roofs, stucco and brick rather than wood siding, and ember-resistant attic vents. They emphasized the need to keep patio furniture and cushions, combustible doormats (like coir), wood mulch (which can burn), stacks of firewood and storage beneath decks away from structures. They also talked about keeping trees from coming into contact with structures, removing all dead and dying vegetation, clearing leaves and pine needles from gutters and rooftops, and reducing tightly spaced “ladder fuels” that can enable a fire to climb up trees and from trees to structures.
Other topics addressed landscaping with drought-tolerant and fire-resistant plants, and the need to ensure that fire hydrants and addresses are clearly visible.
The slides from the presentation are available here.
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What can you do if a neighbor doesn’t trim trees or brush that may be a fire hazard?
Note: Our friends with the Kensington Fire Safe Council produced the original article and gave us permission to share it via our newsletter. (Thank you, Judy Harrington!) We’ve adapted it for Olivenhain, with the help of the deputy fire marshal, because this subject comes up at practically every public event we’ve been part of.
Here are some suggestions:
1. Understand the legal responsibility to create and maintain defensible space
Per California Government Code Section 51182, property owners of parcels that are located within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (like much of Olivenhain) are required to create and maintain defensible space, and failure to do so may result in the property owner being cited and fined.
2. Share information
If you have concerns about the vegetation on a neighboring property, the first step is to try to talk to the owner about the potential danger, to not only their residence but those around them as well.
3. Offer to help
The property owner may not have the ability to do the necessary work himself/herself or may not have the resources to hire someone to do it.
In these instances, neighboring property owners may offer to help by volunteering to physically do the work or contribute financially toward payment for services by others.
4. Last resort: report
If nothing else works, take a photo, and report the situation via the city of Encinitas's Fire Prevention web page, under Fire Hazard Complaint. Or email fireprevention@encinitasca.gov, and provide the property address and nature of your concerns along with a photograph (you do not need to send multiple photos).
The information you provide will be forwarded to Fire Prevention Services (FPS), a private company the City of Encinitas Fire Department contracts with for enforcement of the local ordinances related to weed abatement and brush management.
The local inspector for FPS will then visit the site to determine if indeed a violation exists—and if so, will advise the property owner on corrective action needed and provide a timeframe for addressing the issues. Should the owner not comply within the specified time period, FPS will cite the property owner; further non-compliance will result in fines and potentially a “forced abatement” that can cost a substantial amount of money.
If electrical wires are involved, contact SDGE at 1-800-411-7343. If possible, get the “pole number” which is stamped on a silver marker on each pole. This will give them a precise location. They have professional arborists who can assess the situation and decide if the tree or tree limbs pose a hazard. If necessary, they will then arrange for pruning or, if a tree needs to be removed, they can recommend replacement options that won’t interfere with wires as they grow. They even have a tree replacement program. More information is available here.
Fire hazards put our entire community at risk, not just individual homeowners. By taking action, you are being a responsible citizen and trying to make us all safer.
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Thursday, October 24, 4 pm
Home Insurance Shopping Help Webinar
United Policyholders will host a free Home Insurance Shopping Help Webinar, focused on keeping your home insured when your options are limited and premiums are climbing. (Because the CA home insurance marketplace is dynamic, UP hosts webinars on this topic throughout the year to pass along the most up to date resource and guidance.) You can register for the webinar here: www.uphelp.org/Oct27. Additional information to come. (Note: This is not an OFSC event, but we’re sharing it because we know this topic is of great interest to our community.)
Wednesday, November 9, 6:30 pm
Large Animal Evacuation Presentation
If you have horses or other large animals, you may want to attend this presentation by the Poway Fire Department, which is open to all, not just Poway residents. The meeting will cover preparedness and evacuation plans for large animal owners. Speakers at this meeting will be the Poway Fire Chief, Poway Sheriff’s Department, Department of Animal Services and the County Office of Emergency Services. Topics covered will include how evacuation orders are determined and implemented, how to receive emergency notifications, what role the Department of Animal Services has in assisting with evacuations, and more. The meeting will be held in Poway’s Council Chambers at 13325 Civic Center Drive. No RSVP is needed. For more information, email Susy Turnbull with the Poway Fire Department, sturnbull@poway.org. (Note: This is not an OFSC event, but we’re sharing it because we know this topic is of interest to our community.)
Saturday, November 12, 9 am to 3 pm
OTC Arts and Crafts Fai
We'll have a booth at the annual Olivenhain Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair at the Meeting Hall. Come visit us and perhaps pick up some new swag! And if you can spare a couple of hours to volunteer at our booth, we could really use the help. Contact us to lend us a hand!
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In WUI communities like ours, many of the traditional trappings of Halloween can pose a fire hazard. Please consider the following tips for staying fire-safe:
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Remove plastic decorations that are close to your house. Plastic is made from petroleum, so in a wildfire, these items can explode and spread fire.
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Avoid hay bales. This dry material is the perfect kindling for an ember. Embers can travel miles ahead of an active wildfire.
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Be aware of candles in jack-o-lanterns. Candles, of course, are fire! Be careful with open flames. Battery-powered votive candles are the fire-safe option.
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Remove festive mats. Often these mats are made from flammable materials.
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Avoid dried flowers, wreaths, cornstalks, and crepe paper as decorations outside your house. These items are highly flammable.
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Keep exits clear of decorations. Nothing should block escape routes, in and outside the home.
You can celebrate Halloween and reduce your wildfire risk.
Source: Fire Safe Marin
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There are many ways you can help make our community safer from wildfire by becoming an Olivenhain Fire Safe Council volunteer. Bring your ideas, talents, skills and connections!
We especially need some extra hands to help staff our booth at the November 12 Holiday Craft Fair at the Meeting Hall.
Opportunities include:
EVENTS AND PROGRAMS: Brainstorm with us to create, plan, set up and staff events.
FUNDRAISING: Help with outreach to businesses and neighbors. Identify grant opportunities, promote employer matches, develop and assist with fundraising events.
NEIGHBORHOOD AMBASSADORS: Be the point person in your neighborhood to identify unique needs and vulnerable residents and keep your neighbors informed in the event of a wildfire or other emergency. If you live in a community with an HOA, leverage the HOA structure to make your community safer through structure hardening and defensible space projects.
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS: Do you have special skills and knowledge of relevant industries? We could use your help when there is a need for information, services or referrals (e.g. , insurance agents, lawyers, accountants/bookkeepers, Realtors, contractors, tradespeople, handymen, videographers, writers, PR professionals, artists, graphic designers, etc.).
OTHER IDEAS? Let us know!
Click here to find out more or sign up as a volunteer.
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The Olivenhain Fire Safe Council relies on donations to carry out its mission of enhancing fire prevention, safety and preparedness for all residents, through ongoing outreach, education and collaborative interventions, projects and activities. Help us build capacity by making a generous contribution. Make checks payable to Olivenhain Fire Safe Council and mail to Olivenhain Fire Safe Council, 2240 Encinitas Blvd., Ste. D, #165, Encinitas, CA 92024. Zelle and Paypal options will be available soon. | |
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Join our email list (scroll down on page for signup form).
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