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Published on January 25, 2025
Lake Travis Fire Rescue Leads Wildfire Prevention Effort with Community Clean-Up in Steiner RanchSource: Unsplash / Ross Stone

As the Los Angeles wildfires rage on, Lake Travis Fire Rescue is stepping up its efforts to help local homeowners prevent potential fire hazards around their properties. A community greenbelt clean-up event is scheduled for this weekend, which aims to decrease the likelihood of fires by eliminating brush and downed limbs. This proactive measure comes as a poignant reminder to Steiner Ranch residents of the 2011 blaze that destroyed around twenty homes.

In an effort to proactively prepare, Lake Travis Fire Rescue encourages homeowners to thoroughly inspect their grounds for any wildfire risks. According to a report by CBS Austin, Rachel Neutzler from Lake Travis Fire Rescue pointed out the geographical and climatic similarities between Steiner Ranch and Los Angeles, highlighting the importance of such safety measures. Neutzler underlines that houses in close proximity to one another add to the potential dangers during dry weather.

Homeowners are being urged to take advantage of the department's offer to schedule walkthroughs to identify possible fire hazards. Dustin Dunn, a wildfire mitigation specialist with the department, informed a MSN interview, about the threat of embers which can travel up to five miles and cause structure ignitions. Dunn recommends maintaining clean gardens, roofs, and gutters, as well as having a non-flammable five-foot perimeter around homes. He also advises on covering exterior vents and openings with 1/8 thick metal screens to prevent ember infiltration.

Neutzler emphasized that these fire prevention tasks need not be overwhelming. Taking an hour on a weekend to do one or two fire safety tasks can significantly reduce the risk of home destruction, as stated in her CBS Austin interview. As part of the community effort, a cleanup is set to start at 8 a.m. at John Simpson Park, followed by a block party hosted by Lake Travis Fire Rescue. The fire department also encourages residents to register for wildfire and evacuation alerts at warncentral-texas.org.

Steiner Ranch resident Cathy Pollock, who has invested in making her home safer over the past 32 years, shared with CBS Austin her own experience of having to evacuate during the 2011 wildfire. She reflects on the importance of awareness and education in protecting communities from similar disasters. Pollock's sentiment serves as a cornerstone of the fire rescue's message: everyone can play a part in defending against the flames that so indiscriminately threaten to consume our homes and histories.