Fire preparedness: what you need to know as temperatures warm up

Monday kicked off Wildfire Awareness Week. As temperatures have already begun reaching triple digits, fire officials said a few small fires have already ignited in the east valley the week prior.

"We start bringing in additional firefighters to staff our wild land engines throughout Riverside County," Riverside County public information officer, Capt. Fernando Herrera said.

Herrera said although fire crews have started to disperse, residents also need to do their part.

"It is the responsibility of the property owner to make sure that they harden their property, make sure that it's ready for wildfire, make sure that it's safe," Herrera said.

CalFire crews have begun inspecting wild land areas. He said some homeowners could expect to receive notices to abate their properties.

"Make sure they have 100-foot [defense] space, that they clear their property and then we can sign them off to make sure they have complied with state regulations," Herrera said.

Other areas, such as public land, have already started drying up. Many have trash and other combustible items that can fuel a fire if it were to break out.

Herrera said that at times, the homeless population seeks shelter in various dry brush areas with shade. People have started fires in the past by warming their food using dangerous methods.

Herrera also said that another issue in the desert has been the abundant amount of tamarisk trees that make up the valley. They are large, and pose a fire hazard for the dry brush they produce.

"Trees were brought in here from other countries in order to hold back some of the sand. Make like a sand barrier," Herrera said. "A lot of needle duff that you can see falls over the years, over time. It accumulates 2-3 feet deep."

Herrera advised residents to be prepared with an emergency kit.

Due to new challenges that the Coronavirus has created, he advised to add other items that would be of use in the event of an evacuation.

"Make sure that you have at least another pair of masks for your family, make sure you add those gloves," Herrera said.

Herrera also said emergency kits should contain a change of clothes for the whole family, non-perishable food, water, medicine, important documents, an extra phone battery, batteries and a flash light.

For more information on how you could prepare, you can visit the CalFire website here: https://www.readyforwildfire.org/https://www.readyforwildfire.org/