Spontaneously Flaming Car
Photos of a spontaneously flaming car were captured by Dawn Page (www.CoastsideSlacking.com) who lives near Date Street, in Montara, where the fire started. Dan Page said that neighbors called 911 and kept the vegetation wet while waiting for firefighters (Engine 44) so the thing didn’t get out of control.
The next morning neighbors cleaned up broken glass and other debris from around the car to protect children at play and dog walkers and dogs. They also knocked down the overgrown weeds that were creating a hazard between the fence and the street.
Defensible Space
Which brings up the question of defensible space. This fire could easily have spread if winds were higher. The weeds are next to a fence, which leads to the house. Like a wick, fire can spread so quickly. As a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) trainer, I train people to be prepared in an emergency.
RULE #1 in emergency services is to remove the potential dangers so that the emergency can’t happen. We are entering an unparalleled fire season. Trees have been weakened and diseased by years of drought. Then the heavy rains of this last winter have caused a massive growth of underbrush and weeds.
A perfect storm for a big fire! :-(
And then the day after….
