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Crime & Safety

Wildfire Awareness Week in Ventura County

The time to prepare for wildfires is now.

CAL Fire has declared May 6 to 12 "Wildfire Awareness Week." To support this effort, the Ventura County Fire Department is reminding residents that the time to prepare for wildfires is now, before the onset of hot, dry and windy weather.

Public Information Officer Steve Swindle shares the following tips to prepare against wildfires and embers:

1) If you live near natural vegetation, clear brush back 100 feet from structures to create a "defensible space" for firefighters.

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2) Assemble emergency supplies.

3) Prepare a wildfire action plan.

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4) Determine evacuation routes.

5) Monitor weather conditions when a fire might occur or to know if there is danger from a wildfire that is already burning.

6) If a wildfire is already threatening one's home, go and evacuate early.

The Ventura County Fire Department's Ready, Set, Go! program has tools to prepare homeowners, the agricultural community and trail users. To download, visit http://vcreadysetgo.org.

To request a speaker to teach the Ready, Set, Go! wildfire preparedness program to your group or association, call 805.389.9736.

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