Fighting Fire with FIre Safety Education

As the rain begins to subside, firefighters are preparing for the worst this October and November—also known as wildfire season.

The Poway Fire Department will host its 25th Annual Open House on Saturday to coincide with National Fire Prevention week.

Expected to draw thousands of Powegians, the open house will give visitors the opportunity to meet their firefighters and learn how to stay safe from a fire.

"There will be multitudes of information available to people," said Division Chief Kevin Kitch. "We know in Poway, we will have fires—it's a part of our ecology—but the question is, will we be prepared? Our city does an outstanding job of fire prevention and we expect our open house to be well-attended."

Three years ago, the Witch Creek fire claimed 90 homes in Poway. Though the community is still recovering, Kitch said it forced residents to become even more educated in fire prevention.

This season though, residents may see an even drier winter. According to forecasters, La Niña can create more Santa Ana winds, resulting in drier weather.

La Niña is associated with less rainfall and a later start to the wet season in fall.  This would raise the fire danger during fall," according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Brandt Maxwell.

"Santa Ana winds are somewhat more likely to occur during a La Niña because surface high pressure is more likely to form over the western United States, and Santa Ana winds occur mostly when high pressure is over Nevada and Utah," Maxwell said. "The fire danger is highest when you have a combination of strong winds and low humidities."

The expected weather for this season is an additional reason for people to attend the open house. But the fact that Poway is located in the country is another reason.

"Mostly everybody here has experienced fires either directly or indirectly," Kitch said. "This an outstanding opportunity to learn about fire safety [for] when it happens again."

The open house will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fire Station 1, located at 13050 Community Rd. Fourteen firefighters will speak with visitors, who can take a tour of the station, watch a fire clown act by the Santee Fire Department, or explore the Kid's Safety House. The event is free.

For those who cannot attend the open house, Kitch asks that Powegians simply be aware of the weather and their surroundings this season.

"Beware of the fire hazards we have within our community and take all reasonable steps to reduce your fire risk," he said. "Do everything you can."