Hot weather sparks early fire warning
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

In the wake of two early heat waves and a sizeable fire in the Angeles National Forest, fire officials predict a tough fire season ahead.

"This year, almost every fire has the potential of growing larger than normal," said Scott Hall, division chief for emergency services for the Ventura County Fire Department.

"Right now our main concern is that fire season is year-round," said Capt. Barry Parker, spokesperson for the fire department. "We're seeing fires occur very early and that's very uncharacteristic in Ventura County."

The best protection is early preparation, Parker said.

The fire department recently sent out letters to remind property owners that flammable vegetation and other combustible growth within 100 feet of any structure must be removed by June 1.

Property owners on hilltops and in rural areas should increase brush clearance to 200 feet whenever possible.

"In addition to clearing brush, you must make sure you have an evacuation plan," Parker said.

People should know what they're going to take if they're going to evacuate and plan an escape route, he said.

When citizens are well-prepared, firefighters are better able to protect homes and save lives during a major fire.

The fire department is planning not only for the summer but for years to come, moving resources around to implement a longterm strategic plan that accommodates the needs of the entire region.

"Equipment is being relocated to ensure that firefighters in developed and undeveloped areas have adequate resources when fires erupt," Hall said.

The strategic plan, developed by the VCFD Bureau of Emergency Services, encompasses resources from water rescue to emergency medical response.

As part of the plan, the fire department is moving to Simi Valley a specialized emergency response truck that's been stationed at various locations in Moorpark for almost a decade. The truck, which has a 75-foot ladder and carries extra rescue gear, will be relocated to the Woodranch Fire Station in Simi Valley to provide better coverage and quicker response, Hall said.

The vehicle was purchased with county fire district funds managed by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and fire commissioners.

Moorpark Councilmember Mark Van Dam met with fire officials earlier this week to ensure that no critical safety equipment is removed from Moorpark.

"I don't have any problem with them moving resources around. I'm just interested in Moorpark and how it affects us," said Van Dam. The department will review the effectiveness of having that particular vehicle moved every year, he said.

Answering an out-of-county call for assistance, five local engines were assigned to help contain the Sierra Madre fire in the Angeles National Forest last weekend.

The fire broke out Saturday and had consumed about 580 acres by Tuesday. No homes were destroyed, but at its worst, the fire had threatened hundreds of homes in Los Angeles County.

"It's kind of a never-ending battle in Southern California because of the climate," said Councilmember Roseann Mikos.

The scientific community is increasingly pointing to global warming as another reason for the increasing wildfire problem.

"There is an obvious change in the weather climate, which is affecting fire season," Parker agreed.

Warmer weather and longer, drier summers are likely to result in a greater number of hardtocontrol wildfires that will require multi-agency resources in months and years to come.