This year California’s fire season will be brutal, more money on the way

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By many accounts, this year’s fire season will be brutal.

California is in the midst of a severe drought, and we’re anticipating another hot summer. Those very same conditions made the last two fire seasons particularly destructive, together killing a total of 36 people and destroying more than 14,700 buildings in the state.

Already, there have been more than 3,000 fires in 2022. On Monday, a blaze erupted in Sierra Nevada Gold Country and exploded to more than 3,500 acres. The fire, which was 5 percent contained as of Tuesday evening, has forced hundreds to evacuate their homes.

While we can’t entirely prevent fires, we can take steps to minimize their damage. Today I’m providing some tips for how to best prepare for wildfire season in California:

Ready your home

There are several measures you can take to help protect your property from wildfires, including clearing gutters, trimming brush and adding fire-resistant plants to your garden.

One of the more effective measures is creating a defensible space, a buffer of at least 100 feet (preferably more) between your home and flammable vegetation. The space helps prevent your home from catching fire — either from embers or flames — and provides firefighters a safe area to work in so they can defend your property. Read more from CalFire about how to build defensible space.

Make a plan

Before a fire or other disaster, make a plan for what you and your household will do in case of an emergency evacuation.

Familiarize yourself with escape routes from your community, and decide where you’ll go if you must quickly leave your home. And make a list of which belongings you want to take with you.

Create a ‘go bag’

When a fast-moving fire is approaching, there usually isn’t time to assemble a bag with everything you might need to be away from home for a few nights. That’s why you should pack in advance.

In a backpack or other easy-to-grab kit, you’ll want to include a change of clothes, a first aid kit, a flashlight and an extra set of car keys. It’s also recommended that you keep handy a three-day supply of food and water for you and your pets.