Full Notification

The Alpine Sheriff’s Station held a wildfire preparedness meeting at the community center. Guest speakers from the fire department, Red Cross, non-profit agencies and the County Office of Emergency Services shared valuable information.

POST YOUR ADDRESS – this is a county fire code requirement. On residential buildings the sign must be 4” tall with a 1/2” stroke, preferably with reflective numbers on a contrasting back-ground. Post at the street if your house is set back over 50 feet. If you live on an easement road, post all addresses on a sign or individually at the beginning of the easement road. The address should be viewable from each direction. It would also help to spray reflective numbers on your curb. Posting your address will help first responders find your house even when the lights are out in case of an emergency.

DEFENSIBLE SPACE – trim trees and shrubs around your home or business. Defensible space is typically the 100-foot radius zone around your property. It will help prevent fires from traveling toward your home.
If you have a neighbor who won’t cut their weeds, file a complaint with your local fire department so a citation can be issued.

EVACUATION NOTICE, SHOULD YOU STAY OR GO? – Follow the advice of first responders for your safety. Fires are unpredictable and change direction at all times. By the time you make that call for rescue, firefighters may not be able to reach you.

FACT OR MYTH, FIGHTING THE FIRE YOURSELF WITH A GARDEN HOSE WILL HELP KEEP THE FLAMES FROM ADVANCING TOWARD YOUR HOME? MYTH – even if you wet the ground or house, the flames are so hot the wet surface will dry instantly. Using the water also reduces the water pressure for firefighters in the fire lines. For your safety, allow firefighters to do their job.

REGISTER YOUR PHONE FOR REVERSE 911 – sign up and get notified if your home and business could be impacted by an emergency or disaster. To learn more about Alert San Diego, visit http://www.readysandiego.org/alertsandiego/ .

GET A KIT – Have at least three days of supplies in an easy-to-carry evacuation kit. A disaster kit checklist includes:
• Water, at least one gallon per person per day
• Food, pack foods that require no refrigeration, cooking or water
• Flashlight, hand crank or include extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications
• Radio, hand crank or include extra batteries
• Tools, a wrench to turn off gas if necessary, can opener, screwdriver, hammer, etc.
• Clothing
• Personal documents, insurance policies, passports, I.D.s, birth certificates. It is helpful to scan these documents and email them to yourself for backup.
• Sanitary supplies
• Money – have cash, small bills even quarters. ATMs won’t work if the power is out.
• Contact Information – carry a current list of phone numbers. You will need this if your cell phone battery runs out.
• Pet supplies

MAKE A PLAN – Planning ahead will help you have the best possible response to disaster. Discuss your emergency plan with family members. Choose an emergency meeting place and practice evacuating your home twice a year.

STAY INFORMED – Listen to the radio; watch the news or sign up for emergency apps.
www.readysandiego.org
http://www.redcross.org/prepare/mobile-apps


USEFUL LINKS:
www.readysandiego.org
www.sdcountyemergency.org
http://local.nixle.com/san-diego-county-sheriffs-department/
http://www.readysandiego.org/alertsandiego/
Community Emergency Response Team or CERT
http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/oes/community/oes_jl_CERT.html
Red Cross San Diego
http://www.redcross.org/ca/san-diego
Red Cross can come to schools for an emergency presentation which could include a puppet show. Contact Stacy Magoffin at (858) 309-1308
Financial Assistance for brush trimming in ALPINE (must meet income requirements) - Contact Diane Francis, Greater Alpine Fire Safe Council (619) 244-6093.


Wanted: Dead not Alive Arundo (look at the photos)
Have you seen this plant in your backyard or near your property?

Arundo is a non-native, invasive and highly flammable weed. It was introduced to California in the early 1800s from Asia. It can grow up to 20-feet or more. People mistake it for bamboo, but it is not. It chokes off and kills other plant life. It can also clog stream flows. Arundo uses twice as much water compared to native plants which mean higher water bills.

Why is it an explosive fire hazard?
Arundo is hollow inside like a tube. When the plant burns during a fire, the air inside the cane expands and cannot escape. The pressure builds up inside causing the plant to explode with embers or plant materials flying up to 100 feet in the air starting more fires.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/May/13/tp-woman-hurt-in-fire/

What can you do?
If you live in ALPINE, the Back Country Land Trust can help remove Arundo around your property and replace them with water saving plants for FREE. Call (619) 504-8181 or www.bclt.org

I don't live in Alpine, now what?
Cut the plant extremely low and flat (not in a diagonal because it could turn into a spear and hurt someone). When you start seeing signs of a re-grow spray it with Roundup or any other weed killer. This regrow and application process will allow the solution to reach deep into the roots which may be ten to 12 feet into the ground.