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4th Of July During A Very Dry Year? Make Sure You Have An Evacuation Plan.
Fireworks over the Rose Bowl.
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Steve Grayson
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WireImage via Getty Images
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Leaders of Southern California's firefighting agencies are urging the public — particularly residents in high-fire risk areas — to prepare themselves for wildfire season.
They stressed that with the Fourth of July holiday on the horizon, and the potential for fireworks touching off flames in a very dry year, everyone needs to have an evacuation plan ready.
Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said Friday that many agencies already have preparedness programs in place.
"Please go to your local fire department's website," he said. "Have a plan ... prepare before there is smoke in the air."
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Fire officials also warn that it's a bad idea to wait for flames to reach your neighborhood, because at that point, it might be too late to get out. L.A. County Fire Chief Daryl Osby said that was a problem around Malibu during the 2018 Woolsey Fire.
"We had over a thousand 911 calls in the footprint of that fire," Osby said, with people trapped or trying to get out.
The chiefs also urged people in wildland areas to prepare by clearing enough defensible space around their properties.
We've got lots more fire preparedness tips here:
LAist: Tips and Explainers
-
- Listen to The Big Burn, our podcast that will get you motivated to get ready
- Wildfires are getting worse. What you need to know
- Understanding climate change may help you feel less helpless
- Every day is now fire season. Let's get you ready for the next wildfire burning near you
- Evacuation terms can be confusing. Here’s what they mean and how to sign up for alerts
- How to keep yourself safe from wildfire smoke
- The air is brown — should I wear a mask? We tested 5 out and have some advice
- This is why fire officials don't want you to stay and defend your home
- What does 'containment' of a fire mean, exactly
- How to avoid getting towed during LA's red flag parking restrictions
- What to do — and not do — when you get home after a wildfire
- If you want to help fire victims, resist the urge to volunteer
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