9 WAYS TO PREVENT FOREST FIRES IN CALIFORNIA

If you’re wondering why California fires are getting worse, the answer might come as a surprise: although science shows that climate change is driving the increasing severity, over 90% of forest fires in the United States are caused by humans and many of them can be prevented.

While we’ve all heard about the gender reveal party that sparked the deadly El Dorado fire, many of our everyday activities can also ignite them. We may not be able to stop California forest fires entirely because California has a unique fire ecology, but if you reside in a state that is prone to drought or forest fires, it's imperative to follow forest safety guidelines and prevent potential disasters.

Despite these challenges, California's landscape history goes back countless generations and is worth exploring to better understand how we got here.

How to prevent forest fires

1. Don’t Set Off Pyrotechnics

We get it: fireworks are as American as baseball and apple pie, and they sure are fun to set off. And gender reveal smoke bombs are all the rage these days, but in a hot and dry environment, they just aren’t worth the risk.

2. Carefully Dispose of Smoking Materials

Be it a joint or a cigarette, douse your butts with water and place in a fire-proof container to safely dispose of when you’re sure they’ve gone out. And whatever you do, don’t toss them on the ground.

Responsible camping prevents forest fires

3. Camp Responsibly

Make sure the conditions are safe and that there isn’t a fire ban where you are — and never leave your campfire unattended. When you’re done, douse it and wait until it’s completely cold to the touch before leaving your campsite.

4. Mow the Lawn Before 10 a.m.

If you need to mow your lawn, the California Wildland Fire Coordinating Group recommends doing it early. But if it’s excessively windy and dry, wait for another day because the metal blades can easily spark a fire if they strike a rock.

Car exhaust maintenance for forest fire prevention

5. Make Sure Your Exhaust is Up to Par

Check the exhaust of your vehicle, chainsaw, leaf blower, etc. to make sure it’s equipped with spark arrestors, which prevent engines from emitting flammable debris. And keep in mind that your exhaust can reach temperatures of 1,000+ degrees!

6. Stay on the Road

Off-roading is a blast, but it can have deadly consequences if done in grasslands or areas with heavy brush. Stick to gravel and asphalt, especially during dry seasons. In fact, the best time to off-road in California may be when the ground is saturated with rain or covered in snow.

7. Keep a Close Eye on Candles

Innocent though they may seem, candles are a leading cause of home fires. In fact, their flames can burn as hot as 1,400+ degrees! Your best bet? Place them into sturdy containers that can’t be knocked over, like a mason jar. And never leave them unattended.

8. Create and Maintain Defensible Space

If you own, clear away any dead trees, brush, and vegetation within 100 ft. of your home. This helps slow and/or stop the spread of wildfires within your community. It will also protect firefighters as they battle fires around your home.

Lavender and other fire-resistant plants

9. Landscape for Fire Resistance

While you're at it, incorporate fire-resistant plants like french lavender, sage, and California fuchsia and fire-retardant species like aloe, rockrose, and ice plant into your property. Take it one step further by creating fire-resistant zones with stone walls, patios, decks, etc.

Right now, all efforts are going towards battling California’s historic wildfires. And if you live within a fire zone, we hope that you're safe.

Once the fires have been put out, we will work with our partners in California to restore ecosystems that have been affected by the blazes.

Want to learn more about what we’re doing to help California’s forests? Check out our tree planting projects in California.