OCFA Outlines How to Protect Your Home as Wildfire Season Approaches

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

Peak wildfire season in California is approaching, and because of historic rainfall from this past winter’s storms, local vegetation is at a greater risk of succumbing to fire.

Given that the storms followed years of drought, the Office of Gov. Gavin Newsom has compared the oncoming period to that of 2017, the most destructive wildfire season on record to that point, which also succeeded a massive spate of storms after a drought.

“Temperatures are heating up towards the end of this month, and there is a 90% likelihood of an El Niño developing by July,” the Office of the Governor wrote in a press release late last month. “The tropical disturbances typically associated with an El Niño pattern could lead to increased lightning and thunderstorm activity.”

The rainfall contributed significantly to the growth of grasses and vegetation, creating more fuel for potential fires.

There are both pros and cons that can be associated with the rain, said Greg Barta, public information officer for the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA).

The vegetation increased its moisture content because of the water it received and was able to maintain that content into the early spring.

“That kind of decreases the likelihood of a wildfire starting, and then even if it does start, it decreases the likelihood of it being as intense and causing as much damage,” Barta said.

He also concurred with the Office of the Governor’s projection that the growing grasses will dry out as temperatures rise, adding: “They will become an avenue for a fire to start and spread rapidly.”

With warmer weather comes a decrease in humidity, and while fires are essentially a threat year-round, according to Barta, Orange County is in the “dangerous window” of increased risk.

Cities such as San Clemente that have boundaries sitting against or areas

(Cont. from page 5) with years of experience at charitable organizations, Hansen was spurred on to start the organization after watching her now 96-year-old mother, Flora May, in her lifelong pursuits to help others.

“Aside from that, it makes me happy to help other people,” she said. “Altruistically, it fulfills me. I’ve always been that way, so it’s a perfect fit for someone with my personality.”

The organization is completely staffed by women—80% of whom are within a wildland urban interface, or a location between unoccupied land and human development, have a greater risk of wildfires and resulting significant damage.

Barta mentioned the need for prepa- long distances into roof eaves or into an attic. He further stressed making sure eaves are closed or boxed to prevent embers from entering, that there are no gaps between garage doors and the ground, and cleaning out dead leaves from rain gutters.

“As firefighters, if the fire’s coming in, we want to protect your home and defend it,” said Barta. “We want to have

San Clemente Ocean Games Seeks to Boost Registration

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

Plenty of spots remain open for registration in the upcoming San Clemente Ocean Games, which will start early Saturday morning, July 15, with two open events at 7 a.m. The event, which will fill the void left by Ocean Festival that was canceled for 2023, features lifeguard, junior lifeguard, and open events.

The junior lifeguard games have received the largest enrollment to date, although 56 spots are open for participants aged 13 to 16, and 47 are open for children aged 9 to 12 years old.

For the ocean lifeguard competition, 94 out of 100 slots remain open, and most spots for the four open events are unfilled.

The price to register for both junior lifeguard age groups is $30. For the ocean lifeguard events, registration is $60.

ration, whether in terms of an exit plan for families or establishing defensible space around homes for homeowners, especially for those who live close to vegetation.

“You want to make sure that you clear any dead vegetation within 100 feet of your home, at a minimum,” he said. “If you see any vegetation out there, you want to get rid of it, especially within 30 feet of your home.”

Additionally, homeowners should look into drought-resistant plants and ensure they maintain a high moisture content and analyze their home to give it the best chance of surviving a fire.

Fires are often fueled by wind, Barta said, which can further cast embers mothers, according to Hansen. The women all have experienced moments that contribute to fulfilling the nonprofit’s mission.

“When facing difficult decisions, like if you’re going to send your child to treatment (away) or not, those are huge decisions that parents never think they’re going to have to make,” said Hansen. “We’re a resource to those parents and at least someone to talk to, to (help them) find out what their options are.” access into the backyard as easy as possible (and) access around the structure, so anything you can do to make sure that we have good access is also a huge benefit to us.”

He said firefighters call actions that protect houses from approaching embers “home hardening.”

In the unlikely event that you are still at home and notice a neighbor’s house is on fire, Barta said to first call 911 before going to alert that neighbor if they happen to be inside, but to not go inside yourself.

“Don’t put yourself in harm’s way, because then you become part of the problem, not part of the solution,” said Barta. “Then we have to focus our efforts

She added that Flora May has partnerships with more than 40 other nonprofits, capable of providing additional help when necessary.

Over the past year, the organization has experienced “immense growth” and increased recognition, leading to more involvement with local chambers of commerce and more partnerships.

Hansen said the nonprofit’s workforce development program for women is another feature meant to boost the community. The free program also sup -

To enroll in the open 5K beach run, for ages 9 and up, the cost is $30; $33 for the 1-mile swim; $35 for the run-swim-run; and $60 for the combination of all three above events.

Early-bird registration will remain available until Friday, July 14. Onsite registration the day of the event Saturday will open at 6 a.m. and close at 1 p.m.

More information about the Ocean Games can be found at san-clemente.org on rescuing you and not the home.” plies laptops for participants to use.

More information on OCFA’s online home assessment tool, wildfire hazard maps and other tools to help prepare for wildfires can be found on OCFA’s Ready, Set, Go webpage at ocfa.org/rsg.

“We try to accommodate these people, because a lot of them are mothers, and they’ve been out of the workforce for a period of time,” she said. “They don’t have the confidence or the updated skills to get a job, and that’s what we’re here for, to get them job-ready and to get them employed.”

More information about the organization’s efforts to support families and children can be found at thefloramayfoundation.org.

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