Another San Diego Brush Fire Alert

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Post on Jan 23, 2025

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Another San Diego Brush Fire Alert: What We Learned (and Still Need To Learn)

Ugh, another San Diego brush fire alert. Seriously? It feels like we're on a first-name basis with the smoke at this point. This past summer was brutal, you guys. I mean brutal. We had several close calls with our house, and let me tell you, that's a feeling I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. It's enough to make you want to move to, like, Alaska or something. But San Diego's my home, and I'm not giving up that easily.

The Day the Sky Turned Orange

So, picture this: it's a beautiful, sunny day – one of those perfect SoCal days that make you forget about all your worries. I was happily tending my little herb garden (basil is my jam!), when I saw it – a plume of smoke, getting bigger by the second. It wasn't far from us, maybe a mile or two. My heart jumped into my throat. Instantly, that familiar dread washed over me. We’ve lived through these alerts before.

I grabbed my phone, immediately checking the local news. Yep, confirmed - another brush fire. This time, it was near Rancho Bernardo. The wind was picking up, and it was spreading fast. This wasn't a minor fire; this one looked seriously gnarly.

My wife, bless her heart, was already packing an emergency bag. We'd learned our lesson from previous scares. We keep a "go-bag" ready, complete with important documents, photos, medications, and enough water and snacks for a few days. Pro-tip: Don't underestimate the importance of a well-stocked emergency kit! You won't regret having it.

What We Did (and What We Should Have Done Better)

We followed the evacuation orders, of course. But what really struck me was how calm everyone was. Maybe it’s because we’re used to it; we live in a fire-prone area and our neighbors know the drill. We even helped some older folks down the street get their stuff together. That was good, a real good feeling.

But here’s where I messed up. I should have double-checked our defensible space. While we had done a lot of clearing around our house, there were still a few branches we should have trimmed back. A lot of them, actually. Live and learn, right? I’m feeling pretty dumb about it now. Lesson learned: Defensible space isn't a one-time thing. It’s an ongoing commitment. We need to actively maintain it – regularly trimming back trees and shrubs, keeping our gutters clean, and removing any flammable materials near the house. This is critical for fire safety.

San Diego Brush Fire Preparedness: Key Takeaways

These fires are a serious threat, and it's vital we're all prepared. Here are some things you must do:

• Create a defensible space: Clear a minimum of 30 feet around your home of flammable vegetation. This is crucial for protecting your property. Seriously, don't skip this part.
• Develop an evacuation plan: Know your evacuation routes and have a designated meeting place for your family. Practice this plan so everyone knows what to do.
• Prepare an emergency kit: Include water, non-perishable food, medications, important documents (copies!), and flashlights.
• Stay informed: Monitor weather reports and news updates for fire alerts and warnings. Sign up for emergency alerts from your local authorities. Download the San Diego County emergency app!
• Support your community: Help your neighbors, especially the elderly or those with disabilities, prepare for and respond to fires.

This whole experience, honestly, was terrifying. But we're safe, and that's what counts. Hopefully, this little story will remind you to be prepared. Let’s hope the next time, we’re talking about something a bit less stressful, like how awesome San Diego's beaches are. Because, let's face it, even with the fires, it's still an amazing place to live.