Five units from the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District responded to an evening meal gone horribly wrong on Sunday, July 17. A resident of Portsmouth Court was cooking at 5:03 p.m. when an item next to the cook top ignited, causing an accidental fire, according to reports. The resident tried unsuccessfully to extinguish the fire before calling for help, but the small fire caused an estimated $30,000 in property loss and $5,000 in content loss.
“You have to be generally aware of the conditions and what you’re doing,” Assistant Fire Chief Mike Sylvia said.
Also last weekend, two more fires sent a total of nine units to battle small blazes in back yards. A barbeque in the 400 block of Snowden Place on Friday, July 15, resulted in a burning fence at 4:06 p.m., firefighters said. Five units were called to the scene.
Two days later, four units responded to a fire caused by burning tanbark that spread to a nearby fence and landscaping in the 100 block of Westfield Circle at 3:52 a.m., Sunday, July 17. Both fires caused minimal damage.
“Tanbark tends to smolder,” said a dispatcher at the Fire Protection District. “People throw their cigarettes out, and things catch on fire really easily in the heat.”
With the extremely hot weather and high fire danger, extra precautions should be taken to avoid fires, as well as medical emergencies.
“The current fire danger level is very high due to the extended heat, low humidity, and no recovery of humidity in the evening,” Sylvia said.
Residents should take extreme caution when working in their yards, he added. Work such as lawn mowing, hedge trimming and weed abatement should be done in the early morning before the heat reaches its high point in the late afternoon. Always have a garden hose nearby in case of fire, and be very careful when using power equipment, he advised.
“If people are cautious, we won’t be inundated with fire and medical emergencies,” Sylvia said.
A high level of heat-related medical emergencies have been reported recently. It is best for residents to stay out of the heat late in the afternoon, and drinking water to stay hydrated is essential.
“Watch the time you spend out in the heat,” EMS Coordinator Debbie Meier said. “If you are going to be out, limit your time and keep the fluids going.”
Children and seniors are especially at risk, she said. Meier advises paying close attention and constantly drinking water to ensure safety in the heat.
“We call it preloading,” she said. “Drinking water before you need it is very important. Start early and keep hydrating.”
