By Mary O’KEEFE

Wildfire is a way of life in California and because of it a kinship has been forged with others in the world who are suffering the same fiery concerns. For members of the non-profit Crescenta Valley Fire Safe Council (CVFSC), watching and learning from wildfires is part of the job. One of the local critical issues is the “one way in/one way out” path of the Briggs Terrace area.

Residents in Malibu, specifically in Topanga Canyon, recently had to deal with this same issue. Their ability to evacuate in a timely, organized manner was credited to their preemptive evacuation drills. Briggs Terrace had similar drills in the past with the first one being organized by local resident Kim Mattersteig just prior to the 2009 Station Fire. Because residents had participated in a drill, they were familiar with what to do when that call was made to evacuate.

The second, and most recent, Briggs Terrace evacuation drill was in 2015; however, with the increasing number of wildfires, it is important for residents to continue to be proactive regarding evacuation protocols. Therefore, the CVFSC is partnering with Los Angeles County Fire Dept., CV Town Council, LA County Sheriff’s Dept. and LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger to hold another Briggs Terrace drill on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The evacuation drill will also include the Paradise Valley Canyon area of La Cañada Flintridge. The primary streets that will be affected are Briggs and Rosemont avenues between Foothill Boulevard and Shields Street. Ocean View Boulevard north of Foothill Boulevard will be affected as well.  The evacuation route will end at Rosemont Middle School.

All residents affected by the drill have been notified via reverse 9-1-1 phone messages and informational packets dropped at their homes. Messages have also been sent to parents of students at nearby schools.

There will be a lot of fire and law enforcement activity, including sirens, in the area. All outreach efforts have stressed that “this is only a drill.”

It is hoped this type of exercise will help residents be aware of how important it is to be ready when the evacuation orders are given.

For more information on how to prepare for wildfires visit www.fire.lacounty.gov. For more information on the drill, contact LACoFD Maria Grycan at (661) 250-2710.

  Mary Okeefe