Every year, as the end of the rainy season approaches, we begin preparing for the dry season. For us, the dry season is synonymous with fire season. Each year, we prepare extensively by creating fire breaks and mowing certain pastures, as a precaution.
A fire break is a gap in organic material that could serve to stop fire from reaching our lands and structures. This year, we have cut back long grasses, vines, and anything else that might act as a bridge between a fire and the sanctuary. We also have some dirt roads that we have expanded, both to act as breaks and to allow for fire-fighting equipment to get through, should we need them.
If a fire develops on a nearby property and risks spreading to our land, the firefighters can do a controlled back burn in these areas. Back burns stop the fires from progressing because they reach an area that has already been burned and there is no fuel to continue, so it burns out.
When the wildfire burned 80% of our property last October, we evaluated many of our processes and spent several months reflecting on what we could do differently in the future. The fires last year were the worst the region has ever seen and were stronger and faster-moving than what we – or anyone – would have thought to prepare for. Last year’s dry season was also much longer than any on record, which compounded the wildfires that devastated our area.
The rainy season this year was very wet – much wetter than last year, which is excellent. It’s still raining periodically, and everything is still green, so we are ramping up our preparations for the dry season. Once it’s fully dry here, there’s not a lot we can do without creating a fire risk, so timing is essential.
The back part of our land is so steep that it is basically a cliff and that makes it inaccessible for fire fighting measures. Simply put, last year the firefighters couldn’t get to where they needed to stop the fires from coming down the steep area. Our most challenging recent project has been building a pathway there to make it accessible.The area is rocky, which makes the process challenging, but the benefits outweigh the difficulty.
We are feeling hopeful that this season won’t be anything like last season. If it is, we have done our best to ensure the safety of our property and residents. Though we were relatively lucky last year, it is our hope that we will not face such a frightening situation in the future.
Photo of Maia, showing off one of our many lush pastures
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Carol says
May 19, 2021 at 3:42 pm????????????
Kenneth B. Newman says
May 19, 2021 at 3:42 pmHas GSE considered whether to build some sort of containers to hold water ( whether rain water or delivered water by truck or by a LONG hose), ), in remote parts of your property to use if a fire breaks out and getting water to that area is hard, or almost impossible? Like a 500 -1,000 galleon well/container in ground, above ground, which might be the difference between a small fire that gets struck and one that gets out of control????
Sara says
May 19, 2021 at 6:01 pmThe remote parts of the property are very difficult to access in such a way. While we would like to set up some sort of emergency water system, it would be nearly impossible and it is unlikely that would hold off a powerful wildfire. The fire breaks act as a sort of dry moat that would hopefully stop a fire before it got that far.
bo says
May 19, 2021 at 4:05 pmtrunks crossed, trunks crossed that everything will be more than good and fine!!!
Ellen Bollinger says
May 19, 2021 at 4:25 pmIt was scary from afar..j can’t imagine how it was there in person. Thank you for doing such hard work
Katie Howard says
May 19, 2021 at 5:02 pmThere are many many places I would rather see a fire than Sanctuary. You WERE fortunate last year – as bad as it was – and I wish it were within my power to ensure you never experience another. Thank you for preparing for ALL risks, as best you can. ❤️
SHEILA says
May 19, 2021 at 5:32 pmTHANKYOU ??FOR THE UPDATE ON WHAT THE SANCTUARY FOLKS ARE DOING TO PROTECT THE ELEPHANTS AND OTHER ANIMALS THST LIVE IN THE JUNGLE NEARBY‼️
THE FIRE WAS VERY SEVERE LAST YEAR IN DRY SEASON! I HOPE AND PRAY? THE ?????LADIES AND ALL BUILDINGS AND ANIMALS! PEOPLE WILL BE SAFER IF THE DRY SEASON BRINGS FIRES AGAIN?
Wim says
May 19, 2021 at 5:40 pmHope you’ll encounter a safe and peaceful dry season.
With the claws of climate change often at our throat tomorrow never knows.
??❤️
John says
May 19, 2021 at 7:37 pmThank you for keeping us posted on the progress you’ve made for preventing widespread fire damage.
JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
May 19, 2021 at 8:01 pmThank you for informing us about the detailed work being done behind the scenes to protect our precious girls, GSE employees and buildings. ?????♥️
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The Dry Season and Wildfire Preparation