Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
California has already experienced a significant increase in the number of wildfires and acres burned compared to this time last year.
The number of forest fires recorded from January 1 to May 18, 2021, total 2,436, while in the same period, but in 2020 there were 1,154, which meant an increase of 1,282 incidents - 111.09 percent.
In addition, the number of acres devastated has increased disproportionately, as 14,717 acres have been devastated so far this year, compared to 2,617 acres in 2020, an increase of 462.36 percent.
With this increase in fire activity, it is now more critical than ever for all Californians to be prepared for wildfires, said the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, CalFire.
California's geography, weather patterns, and the number of Wildland Urban Interface communities make it a state particularly threatened by devastating wildfires.
As catastrophic wildfires continue to increase each year in California, you need to plan, prepare and stay on top of them.
Be prepared: create and maintain a defensible space and protect your home from flying embers.
Prepare your family and household in advance of the possibility of having to evacuate. Make sure you have a plan for what to take and where to go; evacuation plans will be different this year due to COVID-19.
Ask friends or family outside your area if you could stay with them, should the need arise.
If you need to evacuate and plan to stay with friends or family, ask first if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or if there are people in your household at higher risk of severe illness. If so, make other arrangements. Check with hotels, motels and campgrounds to see if they are open.
Also prepare by learning about your community's response plan for each disaster and determine if these plans have been adapted due to COVID-19.
When a wildfire occurs, go early for your safety. Take the necessary evacuation steps to give your family and home the best chance of surviving a wildfire, says CalFire.
