Community response needed to fire hazards

News reports continue to advise that 2007 has the worst fire danger potential in the past 90 years and the danger is already upon us due to early Santa Ana conditions. Fallbrook’s rating as one of the most dangerous fire areas, even in normal years, is a matter of record and this year, due to severe winter freeze burn and lack of rain, is anything but normal. One only has to drive along Mission Road, Sleeping Indian, De Luz and Santa Margarita to see entire rows of large, dead, and tinder dry trees and shrubs that are a bonfire waiting to ignite.

Fallbrook is a community of numerous organizations that are frequently busy planning events. The same can be said for our churches and our high school. Perhaps all of these organizations could join together to plan, in accordance with property owners and/or the fire department, at the very least a “month of weekends” community event, similar to the Adopt a Highway plan, during which we can clear as much of these fire hazards as possible. In a year when we have already had 95-degree heat, 8 percent humidity, and persistent wind gusts, it’s possible that timing is essential for the safety of our community and our residents. If anyone else has noticed the danger surrounding us and has an idea of how to minimize it, please let us hear it. All we need to do is to get the job done.

Bonnie Wright