Spring is barely underway, but fire season has been running for months.

According to a recent article, California’s state firefighting agency has responded to more than 800 wildfires since New Year’s Day; in an average year, it responds to fewer than 275 during the first three months of the year. Small wonder that CalFire is bringing on several hundred seasonal firefighters to prepare for a year of record wildfires.

Property owners need to do their part to keep their homes and businesses safe too. Even if your California property isn’t located in a rural area or a remote location, you are vulnerable to fire danger due to the state’s drought. Here are some tips to get your property ready to fight fire:

• Make sure smoke detectors have fresh batteries, and fire extinguishers are ready to use.
• Clear roof and gutters of debris.
• Invest in a fire-resistant safe to store important documents.
• Remove any dead plants, trees, branches, or debris from your property.
• Clear branches that extend over the roof or within six feet of the structure.
• Ensure that your landscaping is adequately watered.
• Keep the areas around propane tanks and barbecues clear to a diameter of 10 feet.

For long-term fire safety:

• Replace wood-shake roofs with fire-resistant roofing materials
• Construct decks from non-flammable materials
• Finish building exterior walls with noncumbustible materials such as masonry or stucco
• Ensure windows are made of dual-pane or tempered glass and have metal or aluminum frames.

Beall Financial and Insurance Services been working with property owners for more than 25 years to help them protect their most important assets: home, health, and business. If you have questions about your fire coverage or other insurance policies, contact us.