This is one of the driest winters on record, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. This is due to the lack of precipitation across the state, which is over 80% lower than normal.
Although the temperatures are dropping at night, temperatures in the Inland Empire have soared above 80 degrees Fahrenheit over the last week. And Southern California may expect this kind of warm weather around the holidays on occasion, the northern part of the state is reeling. Drier than normal conditions combined with windstorms and low humidity have stripped the usually moist vegetation in Northern California, and have increased the fire danger over the last month.
CAL FIRE crews responded to a higher than average number of wildfires for the month of December in 2011. Due to those fires, CAL FIRE has cancelled burn days or even banned debris burning in many areas. (Click here for our blog explaining debris-burning restrictions and guidelines.) They ask that California residents, from north to south, be extremely cautious because of these extremely dry conditions, especially on windy days.
It took 40 firefighters over 30 minutes to put out the fire on Lanai Way in Tustin during the early hours of yesterday morning. Large flames were erupting from the house when firefighters arrived just after 3 a.m. on Thursday, and they worked diligently to keep the trees surrounding the cul-de-sac home from catching fire. Although they prevented the fire from spreading into the trees, it was not easy, as the firefighters had limited access to the back of the house, that also contained an empty pool and fallen electrical wires.
The house appeared to have suffered heavy damage, but luckily the elderly resident was unharmed, said Capt. Marc Stone of the Orange County Fire Authority. With the winds and the dry conditions, this fire could have easily spread through the neighborhood if not for the swift arrival and hard work by the firefighters.
The cause of the fire is yet unknown, but if it is like the elderly couple in Dana Point who both, sadly, perished in a fire in late 2011, it could have been caused by extreme clutter, or perhaps even a kitchen accident. We’ll keep you updated.
If you, or someone you know, was affected by this fire, or one like it, please call us immediately. We are experts in fire and water damage restoration, and we work tirelessly to get displaced families back in their homes as soon as possible. We are also skilled in dealing with insurance companies about damage claims, so we can help get rid of that headache for our clients too. Call now: (877) 732-8471 or use the online form on the right side of the page.