On Saturday, Senator Anthony J. Portantino hosted a panel of experts who discussed do’s and don’ts after the La Tuna Fire.

Forum speakers included Jon E. Keeley, a fire ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, Eric Baumgardner, emergency manager for the City of Burbank, Michael Miranda and Patricia Wood, civil engineers with the Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Works, Kitty Connolly, executive director of the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers & Native Plants, and Dana Stangel, founder and executive director of Teranga Ranch.

Topics included “Postfire Ecology and What Urban Communities Can Learn about Adapting to Fire,” “Mitigation and Preparedness Efforts for the City of Burbank,” “Potential Post-Fire Impacts,” which included LA County advice for affected homeowners, including examples of physical barriers homeowners can install for debris flow diversion, “After the Fire: Flowers” that focused on the natural recovery of fire-dependent native flora, and “Animals and Fire: What Can You Do?” which addressed pre-emergency readiness, how to successfully evacuate during an event, and what comes after a fire.

“I was pleased to be able to help share valuable information with the constituents of the 25th Senate District. Fire has become all too common in Southern California and the lessons we take from the La Tuna Fire will help us protect our properties in the upcoming rainy season and for smarter preparation and response during future fire events,” said Portantino.

The forum was held at Woodbury University and was livestreamed to the Portantino’s Facebook page, available for viewing at facebook.com/portantino.