SPECIALFIRE REPORT SEASON

WILL THE NEXT WOOLSEY BE IN TOPANGA? ✎ written by Barbara Burke photographed by Jules Williams

In the wake of the , officials have cautioned that the next devastating fire could very well hit Topanga, which shares many of Malibu’s fire hazards but was spared from last November’s conflagration. We spoke with LAFD and elected officials to learn more about what Topanga residents can do to help mitigate the threat.

MALIBU MAGAZINE 45 FIRE SEASON SPECIAL REPORT

n the wake of the Woolsey Fire, have created using computerized mod- Topanga residents are acutely els that consider terrain, vegetation and aware that their town could be the location of past fires, place Topanga 1993 - Topanga‘s ground zero in the forthcoming at extreme risk, with 90% of its build- fire season. The memory of the ings in the most severe risk zone. Last Big Fire I 1993 fire that left three people “Virtually all of Topanga is in a Wild- dead and destroyed almost 400 homes land urban Interface, which is an area still haunts many residents. with high fire risk where people reside,” Occurring between the L.A. Riots “Topanga is much more dangerous said Jesus Lopez, “J. Lopez,” Assistant and the Northridge Earthquake, the with regard to the potential damages Chief of the L.A. Depart- Old Topanga Fire of 1993 left locals from a fire than is Malibu,” said Mali- ment Forestry Division. Lopez oversees devastated. On November 2, 1993, bu City Council Member and Los An- the Fire Department’s Defensible Space authorities were informed that a fire geles County Fire Captain Rick Mullen. Program throughout 4,001 square had ignited on Old Topanga Road. It The greatest danger miles in Los Angeles quickly grew in speed and intensity, posed to residents, County. and within an hour had destroyed he said, was “the sin- The U.S. Forest over 1,000 acres of chaparral brush. gularity of ingress Service defines a Soon the fire had produced a 30,000 and egress,” refer- “Wildland-urban foot column of smoke, creating ring to the fact that interface” as a place a firestorm of winds over 70 mph Topanga Canyon “where humans and with blow torch-like intensity. The Road provides the their development response was enormous, with the primary artery in meet or intermix LAFD assisted by many departments and out of the town. with wildland fuel.” on the west side of the Continental “If people evacu- In high-risk areas Divide. Even military units respond- ate too late and there such as Topanga, ed to help aide with manpower and is a big traffic jam or that intermixing can special equipment. By the time the an accident on To- JESUS LOPEZ Lopez is the be a recipe for disas- fire was put out 8 days later, it had panga Canyon Road, Assistant Chief of the LAFD’s ter. killed three people, decimated that would place Forestry Division. “Clearing your 16,800 acres of land and destroyed people in treacher- brush in accordance 359 homes. ous and dangerous conditions,” he said. with the County Fire Department’s “The key to evacuating in Topanga is to guidelines and creating a defensible leave early when the sky is still blue and space is super-important in Topanga,” one doesn’t see smoke from a fire – do Mullen said. “I think that historically, not wait to see if a fire crosses the 101.” going back thirty years or so, people in Topanga’s unique architecture, with Topanga have been reluctant to clear many structures built in hillsides, also out their brush as much as they should. presents special concerns with regard However, it should be noted that people to fires, Mullen said are taking brush clearance more seri- “Hillsides often have gullies on the ously these days and, although Topanga sides of houses and those are a topo- may not have the appearance of wide graphic danger for fire behavior,” he open spaces that one sometimes asso- said. “Topography is the most danger- ciates with clearing property to prepare CANYON ROAD ous aspect of a brush fire and people for a fire, what is important is whether Topanga Canyon need to realize that fire goes uphill the people have cleared the ground under Road is the primary same way water goes downhill. Where large trees such as oak trees which be- artery in and out of water will go down in a stream in little have quite well in fire conditions.” Topanga, which could make evacuations FIRE PATH The map above charts the gullies or canyons, fire will race upward The Woolsey fire “provided a wake-up Old Topanga Fire’s path. along those same paths.” call regarding the importance of clear- that much more Risk maps that scientists ing brush,” Mullen said. “Once the fire difficult.

46 MALIBU MAGAZINE MALIBU MAGAZINE 47 BRUSH Residents have long been drawn to Topanga for its lush natural beauty. However officials caution brush clear- ance is a necessity for homeowners.

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crossed the 101 freeway, it was game-on a particularly dire concern in dense- because the fire had ample fuel to burn ly-populated areas of Topanga. What To Do (and Don‘t Do) During all the way to the ocean.” Accordingly, Lopez noted that it is Those who are in the thick of clearing “Homes were important to educate citizens not only brush in fire-prone areas emphasize about how imperative it is to conduct Red Flag Conditions the importance of being proactive in saved in the brush clearance and clear roadways to one’s landscaping practices. allow fire units to have proper access, “Don’t be a fool about fuel that feeds Woolsey fire be- but also about the necessity of creat- Topanga and Malibu residents should always work to ensure their properties are a fire,” said Chris Loguidice, owner of ing defensible spaces on properties to as fire-resistant as possible. During dry and windy red flag conditions, Malibu tree servicing firm Environ- cause of [brush defend against both and em- however, extra precautions should be taken. mental Tree Care, Inc. “People have to ber storms. Defensible spaces are areas understand that if they have brush, or clearance]. ” around structures that do not contain old railroad ties, mulch or other flam- fuel for an initial firestorm to consume mable materials up against a structure, and just as importantly, for embers it’s a disaster waiting to happen because from a fire to catch onto. Do: Don’t: those materials provide fuel for a fire. An integral part of creating a defen- Homes were saved in the Woolsey fire sible space is to “harden a structure.” on Phillip Drive and Dume Drive in Mal- This means preparing it for both wild- • Position your Car Moving your car so that • Whack Weeds Any rocks hit while weed ibu because [of brush clearance].” fire and an ember storm by addressing you face your exit route will help you evacu- whacking can create sparks that could poten- Attempts to avoid complying with the structure’s most vulnerable compo- ate faster. tially start fires. laws mandating proper clearance of nents utilizing building materials and brush are usually attributable to “a installation techniques that increase re- • Have an Evacuation Kit Ready Make sure • Weld or Cut Metal Fires can be started by combination of people being naïve and sistance to heat, flames and embers that your kit is fully stocked and placed by your flying sparks that hit nearby vegetation not understanding the consequences accompany most wildfires, said Ryan door or inside your car. and their worrying about costs,” Logu- Ulyate, Co-President of North Topanga • Smoke Cigarettes Cigarettes that are im- idice said. Canyon FireSafe Concil, which helps • Pack Pet Carriers in Your Car Ensure that properly disposed of can ignite fires. Assistant Chief Lopez explained that citizens create defensible spaces. your pets can be efficiently and safely moved applicable ordinances require brush “The way we evaluate how to harden a during an evacuation. • Light Campires Open flames such as camp- clearance on properties and that areas structure is to look at it from the eaves fires are illegal in many areas and can be be clean along major roads and access down,” Ulyate said, a sentiment echoed • Keep Flammable Materials Away Protect extremely dangerous in the Santa Monica roads so that firefighters have access to by Lopez. your property by moving outdoor furniture, Mountains during Red Flag Conditions. enter and battle blazes. “People should box-off their eaves, potted plants, doormats, and other flamma- “Sometimes, citizens are concerned meaning that they close off the area ble materials as far away from your home as • Use Gas-Powered Gardening Tools Any about trees being cleared along roads where the eaves overhang because possible. open gasoline containers that come into con- because many people care about the those areas can let embers in,” Lopez tact with sparks can quickly start fires. trees,” he said. “However the roads explained. • Change Automatic Garage Door Settings must be clear. Further, the ordinance Ulyate agreed, explaining that the Make sure you can manually open your ga- requires that an area of four feet be What‘s a WUI? first five feet around a structure are the rage doors so that you can get your car out cleared away from utility poles, but the most crucial to protect from combus- even during a possible power outage. California Public Utilities Commission WUI stands for Wildland tible material. Citizens should think of has now stated that Urban Intermix, which is a geo- their structures as being surrounded Edison should clear a twelve-foot area.” graphical area where homes by imaginary concentric zones, he said, Experts explained that there are three are intermixed in and around noting, as did Lopez, that the first one ways that a home can be exposed to fire. wildland vegetation, such as in hundred feet surrounding a structure is If you leave your home during a red flag warning: Of course, direct flames hitting a struc- Topanga. It also stands for Wild- the most important in defending from ture during a fire’s initial firestorm can land Urban Interface, which is a fire. cause a structure to catch fire. An em- developed area of homes and “Anything that can catch on fire in • Close exterior windows and doors to prevent flying embers from getting inside. ber storm, or even a single ember, can structures that come right up that area can ignite a structure,” Lo- also ignite a home. Finally, radiant heat against wildland vegetation, pez said, noting that the embers from • Close interior doors to slow the spread of fire if your home catches fire. generated from burning structures or usually with clear delineation at a “are like millions of flaming plants can be hot enough to ignite a the interface. matches just waiting to spread fire.” • Open any drapes to slow heat buildup around windows and keep flammable materials away from them. fire, even without direct flame contact, Essentially, the science of fires should

Sources: The Topanga Disaster Survival Guide & www.t-cep.org

50 MALIBU MAGAZINE MALIBU MAGAZINE 51 WILDLAND URBAN INTERMIX Geographically Topanga is situated in a unique environ- ment, known as a wildland urban intermix, where homes are in- termixed in and around wildland vegetation.

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inform one’s common sense approach Evacuation Is Your Best to preparing for wildfire season. “To harden your home and defend against wildfire ember storms, citizens Bet For Surving A Fire should ensure that vents and spark ar- rester screens on top of their chimneys Evacuating during a fire can be an incredibly stressful time, but a and other openings to the home have little prep and foresight can help the process run as smoothly and one-eighth-inch screens, because one- safely as possible, and possibly save your home. quarter-inch screens can allow embers in,” Lopez said. “Once a fire gets into an attic, many Things to Remember: times the structure cannot be saved,” said Alex Abdalla, a firefighter-EMT. “Citizens should take anything that is • Keep a pair of shoes by your bed and a flashlight handy in case you flammable away from near their homes, have to evacuate at night. such as lawn furniture and wood piles.” They should also clear their gutters • Remember the 6 P’s for evacuation. We’ve included a refresher be- and the area around their homes of all low. pine needles and leaves, he said. 1. Wood Roof Replace wood 9. Siding Fill in any gaps in the 16. Flower Boxes Remove wooden Mulch can also be highly dangerous • Pull garden hoses out to their full length. This is not for you to fight shake and shingle roofs with siding and trim materials with flower boxes when there is a if it abuts a home, Lopez said, noting the fire, but to aid firefighters who may come onto your property. If you fire- resistant roofing materials. high-quality caulk. wildfire in the area. that combustible bark can be replaced have extension ladders, pull them out into plain view. with rocks and stones that can serve the 2. Roof Openings Fill in roof 10. Wood Piles Move wood piles 17. Eaves Cover open eaves with same aesthetic purpose. Careful land- • Close all windows and doors and open all window coverings and coverings with non-combustible and any lumber scraps at least sheathing such as plywood. scape selection, placement and mainte- curtains unless they are fire-resistant. This will help your home be more materials. 30 feet from buildings. nance are also integral to fire harden- visible to firefighters coming through the area. 18. Flowerbeds Replace wood ing a home, according to Ulyate and the 3. Roof Debris Routinely remove 11. Patio Furniture Place combusti- mulch with non-combustible California Fire Safety Council. Vegeta- • Don’t wait for authorities to tell you to leave. They may not have leaves, branches and bark. ble patio furniture inside if there types and remove plant debris. tion right next to a home is not recom- enough time or manpower to knock on every door or drive down ev- is a wildfire in the area. mended, such as a trellis, which is often ery street. Leave early enough to avoid being caught in fire, smoke or 4. Skylights Replace plastic sky- 19. Vehicles Close vehicle windows. made of wood and will often support road congestion. You can always come back if the fire doesn’t reach lights with double-pane glass. 12. Deck Boards Replace any deck Back into the garage and close a woody vine. Even healthy vegetation your area. One should be tempered glass. boards less than one inch thick garage door or park away from will likely have dead leaves that can be or that are in poor condition the house. hidden from view by healthy plants. • Think three times (at least) about trying to defend your home. 5. Spark Arrester Install an with thicker boards. Wood decking can combust, espe- It’s extremely dangerous even for well-trained firefighters. You could approved spark arrestor on 20. Garage Door Adjust garage cially if debris collects between slats or also become a victim in need of rescuing, which will put firefighters chimneys. 13. Deck Debris Remove plant doors to achieve a tight fit with below the decks because embers can ig- at further risk as they attempt to save you. Leaving is your safest and debris from the gaps between the door frame. Close door if nite there and spread to a home. Attics, smartest option. 6. Windows Make sure all win- deck boards. there is a wildfire in the area. crawl spaces and dryer vents are also dows are multi-pane glass and areas where embers can penetrate, the one of them is tempered glass. 14. Porch and Deck Accessories 21. Garbage Cans and Recycling experts stated. If there is a wildfire in the area, Bins Use garbage cans with “If you have old wood fences or old 7. Vents Cover attic, eave and move any combustible materials tight-fitting lids close to the wood decks, you have to get rid of them foundation vents with 1/8-inch inside. house. Move newspaper recy- – it’s as simple as that,” Loguidice said. wire mesh or install vents made cling bins indoors. “The same is true for firewood piles to prevent ember entry. 15. Under the Deck Remove plant and any old brush. In the fall, all of that debris, wood piles or any other 22. Wooden Fences Keep wooden needs to be gotten rid of. Be aware of 8. Rain Gutters Keep rain gutters easily-ignited materials from fences in good condition and whatever the fire department misses, free of plant and other debris under the deck. Consider en- create a non-combustible fence because you need to remain conscious during fire season. closing the deck with siding that section next to the house for at of the fact that any dry material will is properly-vented. least 5 feet. ignite.” Single-pane windows can also

Source: The Topanga Disaster Survival Guide Source: The Topanga Disaster Survival Guide

MALIBU MAGAZINE 55 COMMUNITY Organizations such as the North Topan- ga Canyon FireSafe Council help residents ensure their proper- ties are fire-ready.

56 MALIBU MAGAZINE MALIBU MAGAZINE 57 cause problems, Ulyate said, noting that Remember to Evacuate they are more easily broken by radiant and direct flames that double-pane windows. Accordingly, he and Lopez Large Animals Early! advise that citizens use double-pane windows with tempered glass. Other If you own large animals in Topanga, such as horses, it’s efforts to mitigate the risk of extreme extremely important to have a detailed emergency plan in fire hazards, such as using steel roofs place before a natural disaster strikes. or installing sprinkler systems on roofs, although not a panacea, can also assist residents in being fire-ready. Topanga has an extensive volunteer network that helps citizens prepare by hardening their homes, as discussed above. However, volunteers in the town go even further. They have developed a comprehensive plan to evacuate from high-risk areas, Lopez and Mullen not- ed. “The Topanga Coalition for Emergen- cy Preparedness, TCEP, is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization,” said Scott Ferguson of TCEP. “We provide emer- gency preparedness education and Things to Remember: real-time disaster status updates to residents of Topanga and surrounding areas in the middle of disasters.” • Plan ahead, especially if you don’t own a trailer. Make sure you can “Topanga has a more organized com- evacuate animals early, or shelter-in-place if absolutely necessary. munity evacuation plan than many other cities because in Topanga, they • Have a halter and lead rope readily available for each horse. Make realize that the evacuation process is sure your contact info is engraved on them. most dangerous as they only have one road to use,” said Mullen. “They devel- • Take photos and prepare written descriptions of each animal, with oped an annual exercise for practic- vaccination and any medical information. ing evacuating. They have divided the whole canyon into zones and evacuate • Keep trucks and trailers well-maintained and ready to move. If there in an orderly fashion zone by zone and is a wildfire in the area, think about hitching up the trailer so it’s ready they’ve identified tactical refuge assem- to go at a moment’s notice. Make sure you have at least half a tank of bly areas that are relatively safe zones gas. within Topanga that citizens can go to in emergencies.” • Know where you can evacuate your horses. Make plans with friends, Fire is, Ulyate aptly stated, “a way of trainers and stables, and know what facilities outside of Topanga you life for those who live in Topanga and can take your animals in case you need to evacuate. nearby areas.” He noted that “the differ- ence between a wilderness fire and an • Practice loading into the trailer. Especially if your horses are not urban inferno turns on ensuring that used to loading and unloading, take the time now to get them com- people have defensible spaces around MALIBU’S fortable with the process. their homes.” NEIGHBOR If residents choose to live in this While Topanga sits • If sheltering-in-place is the only option, make sure there is adequate beautiful place, he said, they have to just above Malibu clearance by removing hay and brush far from where your animals are respect its environmental hazards and in the Santa Monica being kept and provide enough water and food for at least three days. take measures to be prepared. MM Mountains, it was spared from last year’s Woolsey fire. Source: The Topanga Disaster Survival Guide

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