Roundup: “Blowin’ In The Wind…”

Tuesday July 9, 2024
From the less messy desk of Amanda Eichstaedt…

Blowin’ In The Wind…

On July 9 of 1962 Bob Dylan recorded “Blowin’ In The Wind.” While Dylan said it wasn’t a “protest song,” and it was very different from other songs that were written as protest anthems, it did became a pivotal song for the Civil Rights Movement. We can only hope that the answers that we need are in fact “somewhere,” be it blowing in the wind or otherwise.

It’s been a pretty windy spring here in the North Bay and those breezes have done a fine job of drying out the ample vegetation that has grown up due to our nice winter rainstorms. And while there are many unanswered questions in our sphere as humans on the globe, there is no question that the fire season has started in California. 

So, this seems like a fine time to revisit information about each of our personal roles when it comes to fire safety. Let’s take a look at the basics once again. I was at a meeting full of leaders who help with preparedness, and when we were all asked of our own “go bags” were up to date and ready to roll, not a single person raised their hand…


A few essential go bag items. From Readymarin.org.

• Be sure that you are registered with Alert Marin. If things have changed for you, the information can be updated.
• Review your personal evacuation plan, or create one with your household. All the info you need is at Ready Marin. 
• Take a look around your home environment and make sure that your defensible space is all clear and you have minimized risk. Lots of great info at Firesafe Marin. 
• Get engaged with your local Disaster Preparedness Group and find out who in your neighborhood is communicating with the local first responders during an emergency. 
• If you have animals and/or livestock, check out the valuable resources at the Halter Project.

Then there are the obvious things to be aware of, but since these happen with some frequency, maybe they are not as obvious to everyone.

• Avoid driving a car that has been operating into dry deep vegetation (side of road, etc.) since that could ignite vegetation.
• Do not throw lit objects out of moving vehicles (i.e. cigarette butts).
• Use caution on hot, dry days when you are moving or using mowers or other tools that might create sparks.
• Be sure when pulling a trailer that there are no chains or other parts that might drag on the ground and create sparks.
• Make sure that you are safely using any outdoor fire creating equipment such as barbecues, hibachis, etc. And have a fire extinguisher at the ready.
• Be sure that your fire extinguishers are up to date and will operate when needed.

This newsletter is meant to “light a fire” under each of us to make sure that all the great work we did for preparedness last year, or the year before, or the year before, is revisited and so that you will be in tip top shape if the winds shift and we are forced to evacuate.

Thank you all for doing your part! 

Amanda Eichstaedt
Station Manager/Executive Director