Wind and fire have always been part of California’s ecosystem, and many of our native plants are well-adapted to withstanding or recovering from blazes. But as our region has grown denser and more urbanized, major, fast-moving fires have become more common and more dangerous—in large part due to human activity.
Humans are responsible for about 95 percent of California’s wildfires, and large-scale changes we’ve made—including the introduction of fast-burning invasive plants—have made it easier than ever for those fires to spread.
While individuals can’t do much to address large-scale problems like faulty electric equipment, we can make sure to avoid smaller, common sources of ignition—especially during dry years with major wind events. Here are a few things to avoid:
DON’T PARK OR DRIVE OFF-ROAD
It’s best to avoid driving as much as possible during a windstorm, since sparks from vehicles can ignite fires. But if you must use your car, definitely do NOT park or drive off-road. When hot exhaust pipes come into contact with dry grass or brush, it can cause the vegetation to burst into quick-spreading flames. You should also make sure your vehicle is properly maintained and there are no loose parts dragging from it that might cause sparks.
AVOID WILDERNESS AREAS
It’s particularly important for people to avoid driving in—or even visiting!—vulnerable wilderness areas when there’s a red flag warning. While we love spending time in the mountains, our presence there increases wildfire risk and can create traffic on narrow roads that may be needed for evacuation or emergency personnel.
DON’T USE POWER TOOLS
Power equipment including lawn mowers, chainsaws, and weed-eaters can all produce sparks that ignite wildfires. During major wind events and red flag warnings, our teams here at TreePeople do not use power tools—and neither should you!
PROPERLY DISPOSE OF CIGARETTES AND MATCHES
You should NEVER dispose of lit cigarette butts or matches on the ground, as they can start a dangerous wildfire within seconds if they are still hot. And it’s ESPECIALLY important to adhere to this practice during a red flag warning.