The content is courtesy of COPE Northern Sonoma County
FIRE SEASON is truly upon us! Here are a few BASIC reminders for everyone to review or update their activities in preparation for many more months of fire season.
First and foremost, download Fire Chief Marshall Turbeville’s recommended guidelines for SAFE weed whacking or grass cutting. Please print and give a copy to your landscapers or maintenance teams. These come directly from our local NoSoCo fire professionals who are dedicated to fire prevention and emergency response.
GUIDELINES FOR SAFE GRASS CUTTING
The safest way to mow or weed-eat grass is to only do it during the coolest part of the day, normally before 10AM, with a person watching for a fire to start, and the ability to suppress a fire that starts.
Windy conditions can dry grass out and rapidly spread a fire that starts. Never mow or weed-eat when any of the following conditions exist:
1) Grass is dry to the touch
2) Air temperature is above 90 degrees
3) Relative humidity is below 30%
Click Here for more info. Also please visit:
https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/equipment-use/
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS
- Please sign up for NIXLE & SoCoALERTS with Sonoma Cty. Add free apps to your phone: WATCH DUTY (Apple or Google) and PULSE POINT (Apple or Google) for emergency event updates.
- Update your GO BAGS with new meds and new paper docs as needed. Add some CASH at the bottom of the bag for emergencies. Keep your GO BAG near the door to your garage or car. Keep your EVACUATED sign on your go bag and leave this tag at the entrance to your property when you exit. Leave your gateOPENif you have one.
- Know your evacuation zone. The Vineyard Club area is SON-2C7 and the NE Geyserville Hills are SON-2C8. Keep your car fueled up to full at the 1/3 level to stay ready with the necessary fuel, and park your car headed out on the driveway or garage for a quick escape.
- If time allows, Call or Check on your neighbors before leaving. Add their cell numbers to your phone now.
- During FIRE SEASON, keep your cell phones by your beds – most phones will not sound during nighttime hours except for emergency alerts! You want these even at 3 am!
- Prepare a plan NOW to go in 2 opposite directions (if needed) and where to go and stay in each direction. Let your family/others know your plans.
- Keep your cell phones charged and take your charging cords if possible. And take your computers if possible for the best information and data.
- Just in case – god forbid, you lose your home – walk around and take photos of every room, the walls, and the contents of every cupboard and drawer so you have a strong visual record of all your stuff. This will help you rebuild a home inventory of all your stuff when the insurance company wants to argue with you. Many folks who lost their home say this is the best TIP they ever got in dealing with the insurance companies.
- Test & Update batteries for all smoke alarms for an early warning.
- If you’re a part-time resident, please connect with a FULL-time resident as a “buddy”. Let them know (a TXT will do) when you ARRIVE & LEAVE the area.
- Clean your home gutters and roof OFTEN to keep falling embers away from fuel.
- Talk with family members about a FIRE ESCAPE PLAN, and practice with PETS at least 1X this season.
- This season, follow all rules for DEFENSIBLE SPACE & HOME HARDENING that are possible for you.
- Check the C.O.P.E. website for more tips and resources that will help you this fire season!
Please stay responsible and SAFE in 2024 – it could save your home or property or your life!