BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 With temperatures heating up early this year, fire officials say now is the time for residents to start thinking about defensible space and wildfire preparedness.<\/p>\n
The sun is out, and fire officials say that means it\u2019s time to start preparing. With hot, dry conditions arriving early, homeowners are urged to take action now to help protect their homes this wildfire season.<\/p>\n
Andrew Freeborn is the Kern County Fire Department’s Public Information Officer, and he says, \u201cIt\u2019s kind of a good thing when we have a little bit of a warming trend in the spring months, because it kind of wakes people up to the potential of \u2014 hey, we need to start preparing again.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the most important steps is creating defensible space around your property. That means clearing dry brush, trimming trees, and removing anything flammable from within about 100 feet of your home.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re in that window of time where we\u2019re not seeing a lot of rain continuing to push new growth, and it\u2019s warm, but it\u2019s still before the June first deadline. So right now is a great opportunity for people to be out on their property.\u201d Freeborn said. <\/p>\n
Freeborn says taking these steps can slow, or even stop, a fire from spreading, and give firefighters a better chance to protect your home.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe see homes that burn down in destructive fires because someone didn\u2019t do the work in advance on their property. But we also see homes we\u2019re able to save because people put that effort in before we even get there,\u201d Freeborn said. <\/p>\n
Officials also remind residents to have an evacuation plan and a go-bag ready, with basic necessities like chargers, medication, and important documents.<\/p>\n
Officials say even simple steps, like keeping firewood away from your home or cutting back dry brush, can make a big difference if a wildfire sparks.<\/p>\n
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