New Signs on Mulholland Promote Fire Prevention Hotline

Don't let Monday's cool morning air fool you, the peak of fire season is just around the corner.

In an effort to protect the Hollywood Hills, local leaders unveiled new signs at the Nancy Hoover Pohl Overlook in Fryman Canyon that promote a fire safety hotline.

So far 20 are posted in the hills. By the end of the week 100 signs will be posted from Griffith Park to Calabasas along the Mulholland Corridor.

"We are rich with open space," said Councilman Tom LaBonge at Monday's unveiling. "We've just got to maintain and protect it. Here in the urban areas sometimes urbanites do things they shouldn't do as well as some neighbors. I saw a local in Beachwood smoking and I had to turn my car around... you've got to protect the natural area."

In addition to the signs, postcards will be mailed to hillside residents about the tipline. The gist: if you see any suspicious activity, call the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. The tipline is a co-dispatch between the MRCA and the city fire department, LaBonge explained.

The number to call is 310-456-7049.

"Immediate response is necessary," he said. "It's a real key thing that everyone is working together."

Los Angeles Fire Department Assistant Chief Andy Fox, who oversees coverage of the Santa Monica Mountains, said preparation for the peak season is underway.

"The last three days we've had the command staff of the Los Angeles Fire Department  driving these hills in preparation for a Bel-Air type of fire, a fast-moving, wind-driven Santa Ana-type fire," Fox said. "These fires can start in a variety of ways: downed power lines, an arsonist, someone smoking. Our message to you is, 'Please help us protect you' because back in 1961 we lost over 400 homes. Because of the good work of the men and women in the fire department, no one died in that fire, but today we have a lot more homes. Use good common sense  and protect yourself and your neighbor."

LaBonge also pointed out that he's noticing that more trees are snapping this year.

"Just going through Elysian Park this morning on my way to City Gall, two big branches just fell," he said. "[Remember] the wind that we had in November a year ago, that was a challenge so we have to be prepared."