Residents get advice on leaving or staying during brush fires
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

A Wildfire Action Plan brochure has been created by the Ventura County Fire Department to give residents practical advance planning tips and tools while firefighters remain on high alert for the next big blaze.

"Residents are active players. The more involved we get the citizens, the safer the community is," said Tom Kruschke, information officer for the VCFD.

The fire department takes every precaution to help protect people and property from wildfires, but in a major event there will simply not be enough fire engines or firefighters to defend every home, according to Fire Chief Bob Roper, who said the lack of rain this year had made the threat of that "major event" even greater.

"It's not a question of if but when the next major wildfire will occur," Roper said.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection estimates that as many as 80 percent of the homes lost to wildfires in recent years could have been saved if their owners had followed a few fire-safe practices.

Homeowners have to take responsibility to make their homes safe, Kruschke said.

In addition to providing advice about prevention, the Wildfire Action Plan brochure includes information to help people decide whether they should evacuate or stay and defend their property while the blaze passes through, Kruschke said, an often critical decision that can cost or save a life.

Largescale evacuations require a well-rehearsed plan that involves the entire family. They also help firefighters get to the scene quickly with all their necessary equipment, according to the fire department.

But staying also requires considerable planning, so the fire department has prepared a checklist to help residents determine whether or not they are capable of defending their home during a wildfire. People can use the list to see if they're physically and emotionally ready to take on that responsibility. Included are many details that people wouldn't normally think of, Kruschke said.

But regardless of whether people choose to leave or stay, the plan must be made ahead of time.

"When the fire is coming down on you, it's too late because emotions and sensations are just running too high at that time for clear thinking," Kruschke said.

Hugh Riley, assistant city manager of the city of Moorpark, agreed.

"I don't think anybody is prepared enough," Riley said.

Written plans can be helpful because they provide a point of reference, said Riley, indicating the city of Moorpark will be sending residents Citizens Emergency Preparedness kits.

"You can never be overprepared because when you're panicked, half of your preparation and planning goes up in smoke," Riley said. "You never know how you're going to react until it happens to you," he said.

The fire department's Wildfire Action Plan brochure is available at every fire station and also online at the website www. fire.countyofventura.org.

Fire officials plan to host two more programs to introduce the program.