Fire Safety NewsServing the communities of Castle Creek, Champagne Village, Deer Springs, WestLilac, Gordon Hill, Hidden Meadows, Jesmond Dene, Rimrock, and the Welk Resort

A 501(c)(3) Community Service Organization

JUNE 3, 2015

FIRES HIT DEER SPRINGSQuick Action Contains Blazes

A sheriff's helicopter swoops in to douse flames in steep terrain behind homes on Windsong Lane. Quickaction by firefighters responding from Deer Springs and elsewhere kept the fire away from homes.

Inside This Issue Forward this issue to a friend

Windsong Fire Held to 4 acresFallbrook is an Example for Deer SpringsDeer Springs Fire District Invites Your Input

You Cut It, We’ll Chip ItHave you heard …

A Sheriff's helicopter is barely visible through the smoke as the crew prepares to drop water on the Windsong Fire.

An air tactical commander directs the strike from the plane in the background.

WINDSONG FIRE HELD TO 4 ACRES1-acre fire burns Hidden Meadows field

Firefighters quickly contained two brush fires that broke out in Deer Springs last month, preventing themfrom spreading to homes and causing major damage.

The first was the Nidos Fire, which burned 1 acre of dry grass in Hidden Meadows near Mountain MeadowRoad and Los Nidos Lane, on May 15. Engine crews quickly managed that fire.

The other was the Windsong Fire, which struck in the hills west of Interstate 15 and south of Deer SpringsRoad shortly after 11:30 a.m. on May 21. This fire took hold in steep terrain near the crest of the hill onWindsong Lane, and CAL FIRE called in an air tanker and helicopter to contain it to 4 acres and keep itfrom spreading to nearby structures. A light breeze wafted clouds of smoke across the freeway.

CAL FIRE fought the Windsong Fire with eight engine crews, an air tanker and an air tactical commandplane. The tanker dropped a streak of retardant and a San Diego County sheriff’s helicopter droppedseveral tankfuls of water. The fire was contained at 12:48 p.m., and three hand crews from the RainbowConservation Camp helped tamp down the fire.

CAL FIRE Capt. Kendal Bortisser said that recent wet weather has not eliminated the fire threat.

“This is just another great example of how important it is for folks not to be fooled into believing that justbecause we have had some late season rain, that the fire danger is decreased,” Bortisser said.

“Despite the recent rains, there are still many dead fuels throughout the county that will burn,” Bortissersaid. “The public needs to continue to be diligent and extra cautious with outdoor barbecues and withtheir efforts to maintain their property in a fire safe condition. One less spark means one less wildfire.”

The Nidos Fire was caused by a tractor mowing dry grass, according to CAL FIRE Division Chief Nick Schuler.The tractor didn’t make it out of the fire.

“This was an example of somebody trying to do the right thing, clearing defensible space around theirhome, but unfortunately at the wrong time of day,” said Schuler. “We want people to clear around theirhome, but before ten o’clock in the morning, especially on days that are hot, dry and windy.”

CAL FIRE reports that it responds to more than 1,600 fires started by Californians using equipment thewrong way. To see a video on fire safe equipment use, click here. And here’s a tip sheet.

This tractor didn't survive the 1-acre Nidos Fire in Hidden Meadows. CAL FIRE cautions against using equipment that can cause

a spark before 10 a.m. / Photo courtesy of Jim Larsh

Fallbrook is an Example for Deer SpringsNotes from the Wildland Urban Interface

Sid Morel, Fire Marshal, Deer Springs Fire Protection District

Last November I became the fire marshal for the Deer Springs Fire Protection District after retiring from 30years as a firefighter and fire marshal in Fallbrook. I am often asked what is the difference between thesetwo districts.

While they are very similar in terrain and flammable vegetation, and both boast award-winning fire safecouncils, there is one very big difference.

The community of Fallbrook has been devastated by two wildfires, while a major fire has not hit DeerSprings since 1969. Fallbrook experienced the Gavilan Fire of 2002, which destroyed 47 homes, and theRice Fire of 2007, which took out 260 homes.

It is my belief that Deer Springs could experience a large structure loss fire similar to the Fallbrook fires.

There is a big misunderstanding of what causes homes to burn in a wildfire, how embers play a role inignition, and what the vegetation management standards are.

Most buildings that burn during a wildfire are ignited by spot fires. Spot fires are caused by embers, andnot by direct contact with flames on the wildfire’s front.

The general consensus is that many people do not understand the 100 feet of defensible spacerequirement.

I have inspected many homes built on a huge clearing of land, but right next to the home I see cypress andjunipers. These “evergreen” plants — while attractive — are highly flammable and can light up like aRoman candle if a single ember lands on them. Placing these plants so close to a home is an invitation to awildfire, as fire can pass from the tree to a home’s interior within seconds.

For more wildfire threat reduction tips, go to www.livingwithfire.info.

I have also inspected homes on smaller lots where the owners do not think the code pertains to thembecause their property does not extend 100 feet. Post-wildfire studies show that if your home is within onemile of native vegetation, it is at risk.

The code requires that the first 50 feet around your house be cleared of all vegetation that is not fireresistant, and be replanted with fire-resistant plants. The next 50 feet allows native vegetation, but it hasto be reduced by 50 percent. Non-native weeds are the only thing required to be removed from bothzones. Weeds consist of non-native plants and grasses that typically turn brown this time of year.

Large trees are a constant concern, and their role in a wildfire is often misunderstood. The problem withlarge trees is that they need to be well maintained. They drop debris, leaves and pine needles on rooftopsand in rain gutters, and these can be easily ignited by flying embers.

Trees need to be limbed up and kept in a healthy state to reduce the amount of embers that can attack ahome during a wildfire. This website contains great ideas on fire safe and drought tolerant landscaping.

Having experienced the devastating loss that large fires can cause, I cannot stress enough the importanceof understanding the steps you can take to make your home more fire resistant.

For a free wildland fire home inspection call 760-749-8001 or email Sid Morel atsidmorel@dsfd.sdcoxmail.com.

DEER SPRINGS FIRE DISTRICT INVITES YOUR INPUT

The Deer Springs Fire Protection District is inviting community members to provide input on a “CommunityWildfire Protection Plan,” which is a document that evaluates the local wildfire threat and recommendsstrategies to mitigate that threat.

The fire district and the Deer Springs Fire Safe Council are collaborating on this document and are seekinginput from public agencies and community members regarding potential wildfire risks in the district.

As part of the process of drafting this plan, the Deer Springs fire district’s Master Plan Committee willconduct five community outreach meetings where details on the Community Wildlife Protection Plan willbe provided and members of the public can offer their ideas and receive information.

June 16, 7:00 PM — Circle R/Old Castle area — Deer Springs Fire Station No. 1, 8709 Circle R DriveJune 18, 6:00 PM — Champagne Village — Village HallJune 23, 7:00 PM — West Lilac area — CAL FIRE Miller Station 15, 9127 W. Lilac RoadJune 25, 7:00 PM — Western area — Deer Springs Fire Station No. 2, 1321 Deer Springs RoadJune 30, 7:00 PM — Hidden Meadows/Rimrock area — Deer Springs Fire Station No. 3, 10308 MeadowsGlen Way

For further details, please contact Deer Springs Fire District Headquarters at 760-749-8001.

The Deer Springs Fire Protection District provides emergency services for 13,000 residents in a 47-square-mile area that lies between Fallbrook in the north and Escondido in the south, and between Twin OaksValley in the west and Valley Center in the east. The district contracts with CAL FIRE for emergencyservices.

The Deer Springs Fire Safe Council is a nonprofit community service organization formed to educate DeerSprings Fire Protection District residents about fire safety. The council cooperates with the district to helpinform residents and help reduce the fire threat.

The Deer Springs Fire Safe Council's chipper in action. Go to www.DeerSpringsFireSafeCouncil.com for details on

the council's chipping program.

You Cut It, We’ll Chip ItYou Cut It, We’ll Chip ItThe Deer Springs Fire Safe Council conducts a free chipping service to help reduce hazardous brush aroundyour property.

The way the program works is that property owners must cut the vegetation, and the council will provide afully insured crew and equipment to chip it on site. You don’t have to load it and haul it to a centrallocation.

All the council asks in return is that you give a donation that will be used to continue fire safety educationin your community.

This service is provided to homeowners as a safety measure and is not meant as a low-cost alternative forbusinesses that want to use the council as a way to reduce their costs.

To learn more about the program, click here.

Have you heard …The wildfire outlook in San Diego County is normal for June, but the risk increases in July andAugust. ... An 80-acre fire struck near Thermal in Riverside County on June 1, forcing the evacuation of 20

homes. ...Carlsbad is recovering well one year after the Poinsettia Fire ... while some Cocos Fire victims arefinding recovery difficult ...We focus so much on the dangers of wildfire that sometimes we forget that wildfireshave benefits.

PLEASE DONATEThe Fire Safety News is a service of the Deer Springs Fire Safe Council, which issupported by donations from the community. All members of the Council are dedicatedvolunteers and are not compensated. The Council is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) communityservice organization, which means your contributions are tax-deductible. You can donateto the council directly through the council's website. Just click on the “DONATE”button:

http://www.DeerSpringsFireSafeCouncil.com

Or you can mail your donation to:

DEER SPRINGS FIRE SAFE COUNCIL

P.O. BOX 460097ESCONDIDO, CA 92046-0097

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSThis newsletter made possible by a National Fire Plan grant from theCooperative Fire Program of the U.S. Forest Service, Department ofAgriculture, Pacific Southwest Region, through the California Fire SafeCouncil. The Deer Springs Fire Safe Council also thanks San Diego Gas &Electric and the Deer Springs Fire Protection District for theirsupport.

All content was produced by the Deer Springs Fire Safe Council, except where noted.Production by Burge Communications.

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DISCLAIMER: This information will provide a high level of protection to structuresbuilt in the Wildland Urban Interfact (WUI) area. However, there is no guarantee orassurance that compliance with these guidelines will prevent damage or destruction ofstructures by fires in all cases.