Dear Hillside Supporter,
While the Fall weather is just beginning here in Southern California we have reminders about the risks that high heat and low humidity days bring. Evacuating from an oncoming fire is a pretty scary situation. One thing you can do to ease the chaos of an evacuation is to be prepared. Thanks to the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council, a handy Evacuation Checklist is printed in its newsletter (page 2). As you can imagine, in the midst of evacuating you won't be thinking clearly. Having an outline of what you need to do can help reduce the panic and keep focus on the task at hand. In addition to being prepared for evacuating, below are some tips on how to prepare for the fall season and potential for wildfires. As always, I'm grateful for your support of our work protecting important landscapes in the Puente-Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor.
Sincerely,
Claire Schlotterbeck
Executive Director
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An Idea For You to Consider
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Some of our donors choose to give through a donor advised fund (DAF). These accounts are set up as an easy, nimble, and charitable way to direct funding to your favorite charities. DAFs are essentially an account set up for the sole purpose of giving to charities. Usually donors receive a tax benefit when a DAF is set up. Then as you instruct, funds are distributed to IRS-approved charities like Hills For Everyone.
If you or your family has a DAF set up and would like to support our work please consider a charitable contribution to our non-profit. How frequently and when you give are entirely up to you. DAFs can grow over time and be distributed now or later through trusted fund managers like Fidelity, Schwab, or a Community Foundation. Some donors have even chosen to select Hills For Everyone as the beneficiary of remaining funds when they pass. There are many ways to give—and we are glad you support us—regardless of the method. Thank you!
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Be Wildlife Aware and Prepared
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The last thing you want is to be caught off guard in a park/preserve or on a trail and have a wildlife encounter where you don't know how to respond. There are many animals you could encounter in the Puente-Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor, but for this article we will focus on cougars (aka mountain lions). The Mountain Lion Foundation recommends you take the following actions:
- Maintain eye contact always
- Never run (you'll look like prey)
- Stand tall (don't bend down or crouch)
- Look big by waving your arms
- Throw stones/branches at it
- If attacked, fight back
We know cougars are in our hills and though likely hiding while you are out, encountering one is a still a possibility. Be aware on the trail and ensure others know where you are and when you'll be back.
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Hot Windy Weather Head Our Way
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It’s that time of year again when the Santa Ana winds blow through our hills and canyons. We can use them to teach us.
First, when the winds blow, you need to be especially mindful of outside work. Weed whacking on high heat, high wind, low humidity days can spark a fire by accidentally hitting a rock. And then the spark can take off in the wind becoming a full fledged fire. It is advised that this kind of yard work be done before 10:00 AM while overnight humidity is still in the plants or better yet, wait until the temperatures/humidity make it safer.
Second, you can also pay attention to where the winds blow the newly fallen leaves. Where do the leaves collect in the nooks and crannies around your house? Those are the areas that need to be kept clean of leaf debris. Those are also the areas where the winds will blow embers in a wildfire that can easily ignite your house. Stay vigilant while the dead leaves are here.
Be safe and mindful of these extreme weather days which are common in October and November. These two Fall months have the largest recorded wildfires compared to any other time of year.
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