Southern California Wildfires Raise Concerns for Community Safety

May 5, 2013 – The recent Springs Fire in Ventura County near Malibu, on the Pacific Coast, highlights the threats to homes and property from wildfire in communities across California. Driven by windy, dry conditions, the fire has burned close to 28,000 acres (as of 9am May 5, 2013) and many homes and commercial properties remain under threat.

East of Los Angeles, the Summit Fire near the towns of Banning and Beaumont, has burned nearly 3,000 acres, while other areas across the state continue to experience red-flag warnings. In 2012, California experienced nearly 8,000 fires that scorched more than 800,000 acres, but California officials warn a more difficult fire season is ahead and predict the number of fires in the state should increase this year.