- Author: Sabrina L. Drill
In September and October 2021, over 100 land, resource, and fire professionals and community members came together to learn about fire in Southern California with UCANR and the Council for Watershed Health. Over the course of three days, over 60 federal, state, county, and local government, power and water utilities, and climate, fire, and resource scientists and professional discussed what climate change means for fire weather, how soil and water are affected by fire, how plants and animals factor in to fire damage and cycles, and how municipalities and utilities are working to manage risk. You can view the presentations and catch up with our Wildfire 101 resources at https://www.watershedhealth.org/2021-wildfire-symposium
- Author: Sabrina L. Drill
Kudos to the Ventura County Fire Department, Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency, National Park Service, US Forest Service, and California State Parks for addressing this very important gap in fire preparedness information. I remember on my first solo backpacking trip near Mt. Whitney waking up one morning to the smell of smoke, and cutting my trip a few nights short to get out of there (turned out the fire was in Monterey County, but the smoke blew inland).
From the guide - "The Ready, Set, Go! Trail Users program is about being prepared (ready), situational awareness – knowing what's going on around you (set) – and getting out of harm's way (go!). By following a few simple steps, trail users can enjoy the natural beauty of Ventura County without putting themselves in the path of a wildfire."
Tips include when, where, and how to safely have a campfire or use a stove, and steps to prepare before your trip:
"• Before you leave, tell someone when and where you will be. This is especially important if you will be travelling alone. Be sure to take a fully charged cell phone and some sort of signaling device with you. This could be as simple as a whistle or a mirror. • Take protective clothing including long pants and long sleeves made of a natural fiber, a bandana to filter smoky air and a hat to keep embers from falling on your head. • Have good maps with you and pre-plan your escape routes. A fire could block your path and prevent you from going out the same way you came in."