The City of Fillmore Fire Department would like to remind residents of the danger associated with the dry summer season and the high probability of brush fires. The City of Fillmore is nestled amongst an area surrounded by numerous natural hazards including creeks containing non-native bamboo and hillsides covered with dense dry vegetation.

A quick review of historical fire data indicates Fillmore residents have been victim of a wild fire greater than 1,000 acres in size nearly every five years for the past three decades. The last fire to directly impact local residents was the Day fire in 2006 that scorched some 162,000 acres.

Above average rainfall experienced in late 2009 and early 2010 has led to higher than normal vegetation growth in the Santa Clara Valley. When combined, these dry fuels and low relative humiditys pose significant risk to those living within high fire danger areas.

Is My Home at Risk?
Two factors have emerged as the primary determinants of a home’s ability to survive wildfire. These are the home’s roofing material and the quality of the “defensible space” surrounding it. By using fire-resistant materials unlike wood or shake shingles, you can insure the long-term safety of your property.

Defensible space is an area around a structure where fuels and vegetation are treated, cleared or reduced to slow the spread of wildfire towards the structure. It also reduces the chance of a structure fire moving from the building to the surrounding forest. Defensible space provides room for firefighters to do their jobs. Your house is more likely to withstand a wildfire if grasses, brush, trees and other common forest fuels are managed to reduce a fire’s intensity. As part of an ongoing hazard mitigation plan, the City of Fillmore Fire Department has issued weed abatement notices to those properties with hazardous vegetation growth. This remains to be an ongoing project for the department due to the high number of bank repossessions and foreclosures.

Staying Informed During an Emergency Situation
In the event of a fire related emergency, residents are encouraged to stay informed as best as possible. To obtain the latest information on ANY local fire situation, please tune in to Fillmore Access Cable Television Channel 10, Fillmore Emergency Access Radio AM1620 or visit our website at www.fillmorefire.com. Residents can also follow Fillmore Fire Department on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/fillmorefire or texting “follow fillmorefire” to 40404. Up-to-the-minute information will be published through all four sources as it becomes available.