Local Fire Safety Leaders Urge Preparation
As the weather warms, and fire season gets closer, residents are advised to take steps to ready their homes and lives, in the event of an evacuation order.
The time is now, while enjoying the spring weather and planning this year’s garden — put in place the pieces to leave at a moment’s notice.
That’s the message among public and fire safety advocates as the fire season gets closer.
“Do it now, while you have a clear head, and an easy day, and some nice weather, and some information that sort of gives you a reminder of ‘what does it mean to be ready?’” advised Glenn Jystad, a member of the McKinney Fire Long Term Recovery Group, and a resident of Horse Creek.
“What’s your go-bag look like? What are your key things that you’ve got to do in the event that you’ve got evacuate in a very short period of time? Have that list. Or better yet, have that bag ready now, when it’s easy, rather than when it’s scary time,” he continued.
Jystad was helping to lead a discussion related fire season preparation and available resources at a May 10 community gathering at the new pavilion on the site of the community hall in Klamath River. The event drew representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire), Mid Klamath Watershed Council, Fire Safe Council of Siskiyou County and others.
“The being ready side of things, it’s not only important for you, it’s important for us,” Andy Branson, suppression battalion chief with the Klamath National Forest, told the roughly 60 people attending the outdoor event, on the banks of the Klamath River, an area still recovering from the 2022 McKinney Fire.
Being prepared makes the fire fighting job just a little bit easier, Branson advised, adding, during the the McKinney fire, a number of Forest Service officials were tasked with driving to properties to notify owners of the danger.
“The more ready you can be at the onset of these things, the less people I have to send to try to get you out,” he told the group. “Life safety is our No. 1. And then it’s property.”
The McKinney Fire ignited July 29, 2022, and spread quickly across the communities of Klamath River and others, killing four residents and destroying dozens of properties.