What’s at Stake?
We are pleased to partner with the Olivenhain Town Council for our events, which are held at the historic Olivenhain Meeting Hall.
Olivenhain, one of five communities comprising the city of Encinitas, is beloved for its rich history, rural ambiance, and natural beauty. Yet that beauty comes with a price. According to CAL FIRE, most of Olivenhain lies in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, based on fire history, existing and potential fuel (natural vegetation), predicted flame length, blowing embers, terrain, and typical fire weather for the area.
Living in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, we face a much greater than average chance of experiencing a wildfire and the threats to life and property that accompany it.
Factor in our limited evacuation options and the heavy cut-through commuter traffic we contend with most rush hours, and we face significant challenges to our safety as residents, property owners, and a community.
1996 Harmony Grove Fire. Photo by Richard Bumann
What Can You Do?
Clear Defensible Space
Clearing and maintaining defensible space around a house, while hardening the structure against wind-driven embers, flames, and heat, increases the odds that it will survive a wildfire. There should be nothing combustible within five feet of a home, and fuels should be thinned out to 100 feet or the property line, whichever is closer. Keep the roof and gutters free of debris.
Have an Evacuation Plan
Identify potential evacuation routes, and plan to leave early. Know your evacuation destination. Make sure your car always has sufficient fuel or, in the case of an EV, is fully charged and ready to go. Establish a family meeting place outside the area. Plan for evacuation assistance, if necessary. If an evacuation order is issued, follow the directions of first responders.
Pack a “Go Bag”
Wildfires often happen unexpectedly and move extremely fast, and you might not have time to pack. For everyone in your household, keep a Go Bag so you’re ready to leave in a hurry. Among other things, include daily essentials (cash, medications, glasses or contact lenses, hygiene products), appropriate seasonal clothing, pet supplies and medications, first aid kit, contacts list, N95-type masks, and copies of important documents. Pack your car with emergency water and food, valuables, pictures, computers, mobile devices, chargers, etc.
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OLIVENHAIN FIRE HISTORY
Think it won’t happen here? It already has. Olivenhain has had close encounters with wildfire dating back to its earliest days. Learning about past fires puts our current vulnerabilities in context and underscores the importance of being prepared before the next one hits.
Aftermath of Harmony Grove Fire, 1996. Photo by Anni Mallison.