California Wildfires: Causes and Safety Tips

The year 2020 brought many challenges to humanity across the globe, including the largest wildfire season in California's history. With 9,639 incidents around the state this year alone, the damages have been significantly more severe than previous reports. The wildfire season's peak lasts from July to November when there are frequently hot, dry winds. As this happens, more people are afraid for their lives, not to mention the risk of extensive property damage.

When thinking of preventing wildfire, it is essential to learn about probable causes. Moreover, knowing some safety tips such as installing fire rated access doors and other fire-safe products is vital. To prepare yourself, we will talk about the causes of wildfire and how we can stay safe at all times.

Causes of Wildfires

With a series of wildfires this year, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection analyzed its causes. It was a critical study needed to determine what measures were needed to prevent more damages. Here are some of the causes of wildfires:

Aggressive Suppression of Controlled Burns

Wildfires are inevitable and will happen no matter what preventive measures are taken. When wildfires are aggressively suppressed for years, it can result in fuel build-up, increasing the risk of uncontrollable fires. However, the US Forest Service and fire suppression contractors stopped these controlled burns from happening, leading to more wildfires. Aside from these, the increase in population and development projects around the fire-prone areas contributed to increased wildfire cases. 

Climate Change

According to leading scientists, climate change is the top suspect for wildfire occurrences. As the temperature increases, the risk for drought and dry winds can eventually lead to fire events in the forest. There has been a significant increase in heatwaves and lightning strikes and dry vegetation in the wild due to climate change. These factors instigate frequent wildfires that causes property damages and fatalities.

Arson

There were only a few cases, but arson is one reason for some wildfire incidents around California. One of these cases is the Dolan Fire, wherein a suspect, Ivan Gomez, was charged by the Monterey County Sheriff. There were also other wildfires that people believed were due to arson.  

Wildfire Safety Tips

Now that you know the causes of wildfire, you are better equipped to prepare yourself for these incidents. The following safety tips can help you to avoid severe damages from wildfires:

• Clear dry leaves and vegetative debris from your roofs, gutters, decks, and porches. When a wildfire happens, it is common for embers to gather into closed areas due to the winds. Cleaning your roof areas will help prevent embers from igniting and starting a fire.

• Check and secure the areas below patios and decks with wire mesh. It is essential to prevent debris and combustible materials such as dry leaves and papers from accumulating as these can start a fire when contacted with embers.

• Remove flammable materials within 30 feet from infrastructures. Ensure that there are no woodpiles or propane tanks within close proximity if you live in a wildfire-prone area. 

• Hydrate and maintain your lawn. If you see that some of your plants and bushes are brown and dry, cut them down right away to reduce fire intensity. These can act as fuel for wildfire. 

• Protect your building components, including the electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems. Even if you need access to these systems for maintenance and other tasks, it is still essential that they have enough protection from temperature increase. To do this, you can install fire-rated access doors.

Keep Safe from a Wildfire!

No one knows when a wildfire might appear near your area, especially if you live in California. The only thing to do is prepare yourself and protect your properties from severe damages. If you are looking for reliable fire rated access doors, get them from a trusted company - California Access Doors. Call us, and we will get your order on its way!