The LA Times reported today that San Bernardino County is the latest region to be declared by Gov. Schwarzenneger as being in a state of emergency. This as temperatures begin to drop and humidity begins to rise, providing some welcome relief to firefighters battling the Morris and Station Fires.

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Perhaps the most interesting aspects of these fires, particularly to those of us who are unaffected, are the first person photos and accounts from residents of the area. In these pages, you can see the faces and hear the voices of those who are living the fear, heartache and sadness of wildfires that have thus far appeared to be unstoppable.

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One story (from the LA Times) centers on Tujunga resident Al Lopez, who sat beside his neighbor, Bob Seward, and watched the fires from his lawn chair. Already having some experience with wildfires, Lopez stated that saving his family was the most important thing in all of this. On Monday, his neighborhood received evacuation orders, but Lopez chose to stay behind. He offered to keep embers at bay and to assist firefighters by refilling their fire truck with his 40 gallon pool.

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Best Fire Defense sells portable fire pumps that would not only enable Mr. Lopez to douse his home and his surrounding property with water from his pool or Class A Foam, but it would also give firefighters the tools needed to refill their truck without his assistance. While we don’t know how this will turn out for Mr. Lopez today and in the future, with the injuries and deaths being attributed to this fire, it would seem that a portable fire pump from Best Fire Defense would have been the safer alternative.

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The situation surrounding the Station Fire in Los Angeles County has quickly elevated since yesterday, with several more residents injured and two firefighters killed.

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According to the Los Angeles Times, the fire has burned 105,000 acres and 12,000 homes in suburban tracts are threatened along with historic buildings and transmission towers. About 74 homes have burned so far.

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Rescues of people failing to heed evacuation orders has not only distracted firefighters from battling blazes, but it has also risked their lives.

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The Station Fire has affected or threatens many areas of Los Angeles County including Gold Canyon, Santa Clarita, San Gabriel River drainage, Mt. Wilson, Sunland-Tujunga and Chilao Flats. A separate fire burning in San Bernardino County has started to move toward 2,000 homes in Yucaipa.

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As conditions mount, the blaze continues to be unpredictable and dangerous. For those looking for ways to follow the up-to-the-minute news on the Station Fire, check out these links online (also courtesy of the LA Times):

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Follow @latimesfires on Twitter.

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Monitor local air quality with this interactive map.

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Help those affected by the fires.

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Read firsthand comments and observations on the fires.

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View more photos.

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Of course, if you’re in the Los Angeles or San Bernardino area and you are looking for some ways to help your home withstand a blaze, check out our selection of portable fire pumps and fire pump accessories. If you have a swimming pool, these poolside fire pumps offer you the potential to save your home by spraying it with water or Class A Foam. Your fire pump can also be used by firefighters to refill their fire engine, so you might also be able to help save the homes of others as well.

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CNN reported today that Gov. Schwarzenegger warned Californians against ignoring evacuation orders this fire season.

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“…please, listen and follow evacuation orders from local officials,” he said. “They will not tell you to evacuate if it’s not necessary.”

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This came as wildfires near Los Angeles were the cause of injury for some residents who chose not to obey evacuation orders. Two such residents were critically burned when they opted, instead, to try to ride out the fire using their hot tub for protection. According to the Associated Press, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said of the hot tubbers, “[they] completely underestimated the fire,” and the hot tub provided “no protection whatsoever.”

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There are a number of active blazes being reported in California today, including those in Monterey County and Angeles National Forest. According to the American Camp Association, wildfire evacuations for homes, businesses and campgrounds tend to give approximately three hours’ prior notice to the point when the fire expected to reach the location in question. Of course, the unpredictable nature of wildfires can cause some evacuation orders to prove benign, but why risk it?

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Three hours may be just long enough to pack up your family and important documents, spray your home with your portable poolside fire pump and leave the premises. Of course, if you are given orders to leave in a shorter period of time, always heed the warnings of officials.

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Be safe this summer and protect your home with fire pumps and accessories from Best Fire Defense.

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Clearly, there are many tragedies developing in Athens, Greece, where wildfires are threatening homes and destroying businesses all over the region. Even nearby islands have been struck by flying ash and embers, igniting more fires and compounding the challenges to local fire officials. Tens of thousands have been evacuated, including patients in two childrens hospitals.

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In a situations such as this one, where buildings are crowded and resources are few, a portable fire pump can mean the difference between a hard-hit area and a safe one. While residents use garden hoses to wet down roofs and patios, residents in places like the coastal Nea Makri could be capitalizing on nearby water reserves. Likewise, fire pumps could assist firefighters in refilling their equipment using bodies of water, swimming pools and other reserves.

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On a hopeful note, the BBC reported today that the raging winds have lulled, allowing firefighters to get control over some of the areas. However, the pictures and videos are stark reminders that fire moves quickly, and knows no bounds.

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California has seen an early start to the 2009 fire season with last week’s Santa Cruz fires. Thousands were evacuated, many with only their basic belongings.

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Of those who were able to grab anything at all, it’s likely that a cel phone was at the top of their list. Not only do cel phones help people to get in touch with their loved ones, but with the help of social networking applications such as Twitter, it can also help people to stay on top of the latest news and updates if you know who to “follow.”

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If you live in an area that is prone to wildfires, you might be interested in the Twitter updates of your local news stations or of specific fire-related agencies. For example, San Diego residents might benefit from following NBC San Diego, KPBS or CALFIRE San Diego for specific news and updates on local conditions. The basic CALFIRE Twitter account also has info for all of California in case you’re wondering about friends and neighbors in other parts of the state.

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With Twitter, you don’t need to be near a computer to get updates from these agencies. Simply sign up for an account and configure your settings for mobile updates. The information will then be sent to directly to your cel phone without the need for a computer or a browser. If you don’t want to join Twitter, you can also bookmark these pages and read them on your computer or smart phone.

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Twitter is quickly becoming one of the fastest ways to send and receive news updates, so having access to this information can help you to prepare for evacuations or the need to set up and use your portable fire pump.

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If nothing else, you’ll get to see cool, on-scene videos like this one.

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall for the Energizer LODNLWP LED Eveready Wall Plate Nightlight. The nightlight can overheat, especially if additional devices are plugged into its outlets, posing a fire hazard.

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No injuries have been reported from use of the nightlight. However, it is recommended that consumers who have the nightlight immediately discontinue use. Energizer will issue a full refund for returned lights of the following description:

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“The recalled wall light is white, plugs into the wall, has a plug in base into which additional devices can be plugged, and has a removable/rechargeable light/flashlight. Model LODNLWP is stamped on the back of the unit. The wall light measures about 6 inches high, 5 inches wide, and 3 inches deep. No other Light on Demand products are included in this recall.”

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For additional information or to request a refund, contact Energizer at (800) 782-2013 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.energizer.com.

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Home fire safety should always be of concern when it comes to electrical outlets. Some other tips for reducing the incidence of fire and other hazards from electrical outlets include:

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–Check all electrical cords for signs of wear or fraying.

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–Use electrical extension cords wisely and don’t overload them.

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–Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and standing water. Be especially careful when using appliances near sinks and in the bathroom.

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–The home appliances that are most often involved in electrical fires are stoves and ovens, dryers, central heating units, televisions, radios and record players, so make sure to inspect these items regularly for any safety hazards.

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For more tips on how to prevent an electrical fire in your home, check out this guide from the U.S. Fire Administration: On the Safety Circuit (pdf)

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As always, be as prepared as possible by investing in a portable fire pump and fire pump accessories from Best Fire Defense.

FEMA has put together a fun collection of resources at this site for teaching children about wildfires and wildfire safety. It offers a quick overview of wildfire dangers, smoke detectors, emergency plans and evacuations.

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The site also features pictures of wildfires and fire fighters, tips for protecting the home from a variety of natural disasters, the difference between wildfires and prescribed burns, and wildfire coloring pages. (These coloring pages are not related to the recently criticized FEMA coloring book titled, “A Scary Thing Happened,” which was originally meant to help children cope with disturbing events such as the attacks of September 11.)

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The site also links to the U.S. Fire Administration which features a much nicer looking site, more activities and resources, and “quizzes” that teach kids about home fire safety and related topics. Kids can even take a final quiz to become a Jr. Fire Marshall.

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Teaching your kids about the natural occurence of wildfires and the ways to keep themselves and their homes safe can help in the event of an emergency. Just as a portable fire pump can help you feel empowered over the future of your home in the face of fire danger, information and preparation with your children can help them feel empowered relative to their own safety.

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Give your children and your home the sense of security this fire season with the help of FEMA, the U.S. Fire Administration and Best Fire Defense.

Earthquake damage in Paso Robles

KPBS reported this week that the San Andreas Fault has been registering some mysterious rumblings with the researchers of the University of California, Berkeley. Over 150 years ago, this fault produced an earthquake which registered 7.8 on the Richter scale. While reasonably significant earthquake events have occured since then, this recent activity is causing some alarm among scientists who warn that the next “big one” is due.

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If you live near a fault – which most Californians do – it’s important to ensure that you are prepared for earthquakes at work and in your home. The Los Angeles Fire Department has released an Earthquake Preparedness Booklet which offers tips for preparing for and staying safe during an earthquake. A few of these tips include:

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Preparing for an Earthquake:

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• –Make an earthquake safety plan with your family. Identify the safe places (sturdy tables, inside walls) and the risky areas (large mirrors, tall furniture) in your home.
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• –Learn first aid.
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• –Keep a list of emergency phone numbers and make sure everyone knows where to find them.
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• –Secure freestanding items and furniture in your home.
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Staying Safe During an Earthquake:

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• –Stay against interior walls and use the stairs instead of elevators (once the shaking stops).
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• –Stay clear of power lines and tall, looming objects (trees, poles, buildings, etc.)
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• –If you’re driving, pull over and avoid overpasses, underpasses and bridges.
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• –Avoid rushing toward exits when trying to leave a building.
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If the earthquake is significant enough to damage streets or other infrastructure, your power and water may also be affected. If you have a portable fire pump and an intake adapter and you are near a swimming pool, you could alleviate any interruptions to your water supply by using the water from your pool to bathe and flush toilets. During short durations of water interruption, you can avoid having to book costly reservations in hotel rooms while the utility company repairs the problem.

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Portable fire pumps are also helpful during earthquakes in case you need to protect your home against fires that break out from live power lines or home electrical fires. If you choose to store gasoline in case fuel stations are impacted by earthquake damage, our fuel stabilizer can help to keep it viable for five times longer than untreated fuel.

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Best Fire Defense offers many solutions for a variety of emergency situations outside of fires. Make sure you’re ready when the next “big one” begins!

Photo Credit: Rennett Stowe

KPBS reported today that State fire officials are warning the relative calm of this fire season could easily come to end.

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“That weather pattern has definitely changed, we’re now seeing extremely warm temperatures and low humidity around the state, and that has increased the fire danger. And it’s so important for people to remember as we’re in July that we’re now in fire season,” says Daniel Berlant of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

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This time last year, at least a thousand lighting- caused and man- made wildfires were blazing all around the state. Berlant says it’s not a good idea use a lawn mower or weed cutter on a dry, windy day because it only takes one spark to start a major fire.

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Read the full article here: http://www.kpbs.org/news/2009/jul/06/mild-fire-season-could-come-end/

Do a web search on any day for “apartment fire” and you will see at least one news story about a complex catching flames somewhere in the U.S. Many times these stories include unfortunate details about injuries and extensive damages, and their causes can be as varied as the tenants in the building: faulty wiring, candles, smoking in bed, children playing with fire, unkempt fireplaces, overloaded outlets, dry Christmas trees, arson, and the list goes on.

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In temperate climates, it is very common to see apartment complexes with swimming pools and spas. Such amenities help to attract occupants and charge higher rents. However, swimming pools can also serve as an important line of defense for property managers in the event of an apartment fire if the landlord has taken the time to invest in a portable fire pump.

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Fire pumps are easy to use by property managers, custodians or even tenants, and they make a sound addition to any apartment-wide fire escape plan. In the case that flames emerge from an apartment unit, a fire pump can be used to extinguish flames and spray those portions of the building, landscaping or adjoining structures that have not yet caught on fire. This could help to decrease the extent of the damage to the building and keep it from spreading to other neighboring buildings.

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The fire pump can be stored in a pool shed or in plain site near the pool – use a fire pump cover to keep it protected from the elements and easy to spot in an emergency.

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Apartment fires are expensive and can be deadly. If you are a landlord or property manager putting together the fire escape plan for your complex, consider investing in a fire pump and fire pump accessories.