Watch CBS News

LAFD Urging Residents In High Fire Danger Areas To Clear Flammable Brush

LA CAÑADA (CBSLA.com) — The Fillmore fire has made it clear that mother nature has no intention of postponing fire season this year, and residents have been urged to prepare.

The Los Angeles Fire Department is warning residents that have dry brush on or around their property to clear it now, before it becomes an issue.

Howard Moore, who lives in a wildfire zone, was forced to evacuate during the La Cañada fire four years ago, and has already taken care of the land around his property.

"When a fire happens, it happens very quickly and you don't have time to clear brush," Howard told CBS2's Adrianna Weingold. "So it's better to do it before-hand, and that way, prevent any problems."

The Los Angeles Fire Department has sent out notices to residents in high fire danger areas with instructions to clear brush within 200 feet of their homes.

Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Quvondo Johnson suggests this will help keep not only residents safe, but firefighters as well.

"We can go back to the Station fire, where we actually had two firefighters who lost their lives," Johnson said. "We're trying not to have that happen again, so when people do make that defensible space, that helps us to help them."

LAFD did give advice on how to go about clearing any brush around your home in a safe manner:

• Always have a water source readily available.

• Avoid clearing brush during peak temperatures or high winds.

• Keep the hot exhaust from any motorized equipment away from vegetation.

The fire department has suggested that recent high brush buildup has given cause to be extra careful this fire season.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.