Fire officials on Monday urged Southern California residents to stay safe during a holiday heat wave as the region enters a second week of extreme temperatures, heightening the risk of wildfires.
In addition to wearing lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing when outside during hot weather, it’s very important for people in Southern California, especially those near fire-prone areas, to have a wildfire preparedness plan, Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Eric Scott said.
That includes Connie Cornish, a longtime La Tuna Canyon resident who watched the La Tuna Fire ripped through her neighborhood in September 2017, burning more than 7,000 acres and destroying five homes.
She also vividly remembered how firefighters protected her property on La Tuna Canyon Road.
“When it was over, we were all dirty and covered in soot and ash,” Cornish recalled. “I made them breakfast, and they stayed with us all night. We were up all night.”
Because of the terrifying experience, Cornish said she and her husband take fire warnings very seriously.
They’ve cleared brush around the property to create a 200-foot fire clearance, installed sprinklers on the roof and shed, created an action plan in case they need to evacuate, and have a plan for staying safe during heatwaves.
“We’re old and retired, so we stay inside if it becomes unsafe. The horses have sprinklers. If the temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, we turn on the sprinklers and water the horses,” Cornish said.
Another important thing to remember for a safe and responsible Independence Day celebration is that all fireworks are illegal within the city of Los Angeles, even those that are considered safe and sane.
“Historically, it’s children who are injured. They get injuries to their eyes, hands, face,” said Lt. Scott. “Pets who have hypersensitive hearing from constantly hearing explosions get scared and run away. Evacuation centers are full at this time of year.”
In the 24 hours around the Fourth of July holiday, the city’s fire department receives an additional 400 calls about fireworks-related injuries on top of the 1,500 calls it typically receives each day.
For those looking for resources to beat the heat, the LA Office of Emergency Management has a list of cooling centers and pools available here.