[californiadisasters] LA Co. F.D. Inspects Brush, Deploys Resources

The LA County Fire Department is deploying extra resources to ensure they're ready to fight wildfires

By Angie Crouch and Frava Burgess | KNBC-TV Los Angeles

|  Thursday, Aug 23, 2012  |  Updated 6:21 AM PDT

Dry lightning, winds and hot weather can be a dangerous mix, so the LA County Fire Department is deploying extra resources to ensure they're ready to fight potential wildfires.

"We have plenty of resources to handle any fire we're going to have today," said LA County Fire battalion chief Anthony Williams.

Extra strike teams were sent on Wednesday to the Santa Clarita Valley and La Cañada Flintridge – two areas prone to dry lightning strikes, which could spark a blaze.

"We're at a lightning activity level of six, which means we're going to get anywhere from nine to 15 lightning strikes every 15 minutes, but with no wetting rain," said Williams. "So it's a dry lightning and with our fuel moisture at historic lows right now, that really poses a danger if we get any strikes that hit the ground."

LA County fire officials also went door-to-door in Malibu inspecting properties to make sure homeowners have complied with the required 200 feet of brush clearance.

Fire officials are warning residents to make sure they have an evacuation plan in place before the fires come.

Southern California has already seen several brush fires this summer following weeks of record-hot temperatures. The danger will only increase as the Southland moves into the fall with the blowing Santa Ana winds.

"Our helicopters are in place, [and] our super scoopers will be arriving shortly," said Williams. "On top of that, we have three Black Hawk and Bell helicopters and numerous handcrews and bulldozers. We have over 170 fire stations in place with the resources for anything we'll come up against in LA County."

Source: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/LA-County-Fire-Dept-Conducts-Brush-Inspections-Deploys-Resources-167125725.html?_osource=Newsletter-Daily

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