Living in Southern California comes with warm weather, beautiful beaches, and the inevitable Santa Ana Winds. The winds are a product of high pressure moving over the dry desert region. The Santa Ana winds most commonly occur during the cooler months, and they generally feel hot or warm. They also come with the threat of property damage and wildfire risk, and that’s why it’s crucial to prepare your property for this seasonal event.

Fire Seasons

California has two fire seasons; the first occurs during the summer when the heat and dry conditions suck the moisture out of the landscape and create prime tinder. The second happens in the fall months when the Santa Ana winds make their appearance. These winds are particularly dangerous because the vegetation has already been dried out by the summer heat. The smallest spark can quickly spread thanks to the fast-moving winds.

Preparation Importance

It’s always wise to prepare your landscape for the threats that come with the Santa Ana winds. As a property owner, checking your land for potential risks and giving your landscape a thorough assessment can make a big difference during fire season.

Foliage Assessment

Dead or diseased trees are an immediate risk and should be removed. Routine maintenance like pruning and removing branches located too close to structures and driveways can also be a great way to prep your property. As the winds howl, branches that haven’t been pruned have a greater risk of breaking or falling, creating dangerous conditions for people living in the area.

Bushes should also be trimmed regularly to eliminate the possibility of uprooted plants and broken branches. By getting rid of loose debris, you’re ensuring a lack of dry material that could be kicked up by the wind and ultimately used as fuel during a wildfire.

Do you need help maintaining your property for the threats that come with the Santa Ana Winds? At Mission Landscape, we are the experts in commercial landscape maintenance, tree care, water management, mulch and green waste recycling, landscape architecture, and landscape construction. We serve a multitude of areas in California including: Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Sacramento County, and Imperial County.