http://vcfd.org/images/prevention/Brochures/VCFD_Fire_Hazard_Reduction_Brochure_final_2017.pdf

"Defensible space" is an important concept in minimizing fire losses and enforcement of this concept has minimized fire losses in the past in Ventura County. Unfortunately, even a six lane highway has proven an inadequate fire break when Santa Ana winds are romping. During the Thomas fire, sustained winds were 40 mph, with higher gusts.

I am reminded of a comment made during my first season of fire fighting, the summer of 1957, in Southern Arizona - "the most dangerous fires to fight are those in California chaparral." how true, how true.