The fire burning in the hills above Sierra Madre, near Arcadia, is the first big wildfire this year. While I was in the surrounding neighborhoods yesterday, residents were watering their roofs just in case the fire came further down the hill. Overnight, mandatory evacuations were issued as the fire quickly jumped from 90 acres to over 350 acres. Two hundred homes have been evacuated. Many of the residents who decided to stay behind told me that they didn't get much sleep last night, especially since they could see the fire line right outside their windows.
Keep in mind, if you are able to create a Fire Safe landscape for at least 30 feet around your house, you will reduce the chance of a wildfire spreading onto your property. It's called a "defensible space" - an area that will help protect your home and provide a safety zone for firefighters who are battling the flames.
Clearing all flammable vegetation a minimum of 30 feet around your home and other structures is required by California law.
Get ready...looks like this year's wicked fire season has officially begun.
