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Preparing For a California Disaster

By
Real Estate Agent

 

I woke this morning with overcast skies, which quickly produced raindrops on parched California soil.  It was a welcome sight, considering we had experienced a hot sunny 105 degree day on Monday. However, lightning storms over various parts of our state have sparked several wildfires. 

 

When it comes to wildfires, California is likely to have a rough year!  This is our 4th year of drought, and dry grass is considered the new "California Gold."  Our region of the United States often spends summer months concerned about tender box status for wild fires. It is sad to see the devastation and stress these fires place on natural habitat and wildlife.

 

 

California Disaster Preparedness

However, there is protective action homeowners, especially rural homeowners, can make to aleviate some risk to personal safety and property, in the event of wildfires.

In January 2005 a new state law, State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (BOF), came into effect that extended the defensible space clearance around homes and structures from the previous 30 feet to 100 feet. It has been found that proper clearance to 100 feet dramatically increases the chance of homes surviving a wildfire. This defensible space also provides for more safety for firefighters when they are trying to protect homes during a wildfire.

It is important to note the 100 foot defensible space policy is much more than policy...It's the law!  For a complete list of recommended items to include in an emergency kit, you can visit the "Be Prepared California" website. The site also includes other preparedness information

 

 

 

Posted by

Myrl Jeffcoat ActiveRain Signature
  

Comments (21)

Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

100 feet I'd be across the street in my neighbor's yard, LOL. Yay, I went out the door in a silk sleeveless and short skirt, thinking it was gonna be hot again today . . . froze my tush off.

Jun 10, 2015 12:01 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Living in a rural area of the foothills, I can understand the importance here Myrl. I lot can happen in a short period of time.

Jun 10, 2015 03:05 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Myrl Jeffcoat , When I read the title, I wasn't thinking about fires but more about all the seismic activity around the world and the movie San Andreas. I have been through the fires down here and they are ugly and tragic. The lives lost and the property destruction was horrific. 

I know about the laws that came out of the fires down here and hopefully the 100 foot clearing will help save some homes and property in the rural area. 

Great post Myrl!

Jun 10, 2015 03:06 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

William Johnson - You're absolutely right!  California is on the Pacific Rim of Fire, and we have our vulnerabilities in the seismic arena.  Some areas are more prone than others.  Wildfires and earthquakes seem to be our greatest risks.

Jun 10, 2015 03:18 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Real Estate Agent, Top 1% of Lyon Agents - The 100 Foot Defensible Space Law is meant more for rural properties.  However, you gave me a thought about urban homeowners, who have a neighbor who is allowing their dry weeds to grow. . .tsk, tsk!

Jun 10, 2015 10:15 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Wildfires would scare me.....you've provided some helpful safety information.

Jun 10, 2015 11:26 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

We have a lot of wildfires in Arizona as well and I always hate hearing about the homes that were affected.

Jun 11, 2015 12:39 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Great information Myrl Jeffcoat . I found we can (and did) recover from a flood but there is nothing left after a fire.

Jun 11, 2015 06:16 AM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Myrl, Excellent post and we hope you folks do not have a lot of these devastating wildfires. I like the 100 foot law. We see the affects of a wildfire when we drive through Bastrop TX and the wildfire happened at least 4 years ago. 

Jun 11, 2015 06:35 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

If it's not wildfires, it's mudslides or earthquakes.  Being prepared for the regional disaster scenarios is a must.

Jun 11, 2015 09:02 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Myrl,

We have practiced following that rule in the three properties we lived in.  We did it regardless there was a drought or not.  We got a good soaking on Tuesday as we were heading out to Naples, Florida.  A

Jun 11, 2015 09:38 AM
Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert
Richmond, TX

Myrl,

100 feet wow, here we have 5 fr build lines! I hope you get the much needed rain though not all at once like we did!

Jun 11, 2015 11:28 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert - The 100 foot defensible space law is mainly for rural properties.  In our urban areas, we have lawns and fire hydrants to protect us.  I live in a neighborhood that is close to the American River Parkway.  Last year, The Parkway was hit with several wild fires.  We've already had a couple this year as well.

Jun 11, 2015 11:32 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is an excellent reminder for every resident to be well prepared for the risks of the season.

Jun 11, 2015 12:00 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

You folks have it rough in CA.  It's either fires or floods and landslides, and then you have to worry about earthquakes at any given time too!  I hope you get some more rain soon.

Jun 12, 2015 10:53 AM
Jill Winchel
Royal Shell Real Estate - The Koffman Group - Cape Coral, FL
We make it easy. You make it home.

That's good information for new buyers in California. Hate to see flooding in some parts of the country while your area faces the perils of drought, of which wildfires is one. Being prepared is key.

Jun 14, 2015 05:42 AM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Myrl, We are experiencing the effects of a tropical storm right now and we are all hoping the rain fall predicted total is inaccurate. Being prepared for any disaster is so important. 

Jun 16, 2015 06:19 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

Great information, Myrl. It is a concern to everyone, the extended drought out there.

Jun 16, 2015 09:47 PM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Myrl

It pays to over prepare for a disaster . . . . and not have to use it . . . . then to not prepare and need it.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Jun 17, 2015 12:44 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

We actually had a Dept of Forestry guy come and speak at a dinner we all had at the Mist-Birkenfeld Fire Dept. and he talked about this--even had a mock-up design of what to do...so very important to have a defensible space around your home!

Jun 18, 2015 02:19 AM