- 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."
- Author: Sabrina L. Drill
The Los Angeles Fire Department has updated containment of the Palisades Fire to 72%, and just under 1200 acres. In addition, an suspect has been detained and charged with felony arson by the LA County DA's office. If you'd like to learn more about, or support, Malibu/Topanga's volunteer arson watch, visit http://www.arsonwatch.com/. ANR's resources on fire recovery can be found here.
- Author: Sabrina L. Drill
At the recent 2021 Hansen Symposium - Climate Change:What Does it Mean for Southern California, UCCE Extension Fire Specialist Max Moritz, Central Coast Range and Natural Resources Advisor Matthew Shapero, and yours truly, Urban Natural Resources Advisor LA/Ventura Sabrina Drill discussed the impacts of and ways to adapt to climate change and wildfire at the regional, subdivision, rangelands, and home scale. Watch our presentations here! You can also learn about how climate change is affecting our weather and fire risk from Dr. Daniel Swain and learn about how YOU can get involved through our Climate Stewards program from the first day of the symposium, and hear about how agriculture is adapting to climate change from the second day.