Living With Living With WildfireWildfire

The Fire Environment

• Low humidity dries vegetation• Low humidity dries vegetation

• Winds dry fuels and increase fire spread• Winds dry fuels and increase fire spread

WeatherWeather

• South and west facing slopes dry fuels more quickly• South and west facing slopes dry fuels more quickly

TopographyTopography

• Steep slopes increase fire spread• Steep slopes increase fire spread

• Fuel moisture and size affect fire intensity and rate of spread• Fuel moisture and size affect fire intensity and rate of spread

FuelsFuels

• Weather and topography cannot be Weather and topography cannot be changed fuels can be modified changed fuels can be modified

• Location in relation to fuels• Location in relation to fuels

• Your home becomes part of the fuel• Your home becomes part of the fuel

Location Of Homes In Wildlands

Location Of Homes In Wildlands

Key to your home’s survivabilityKey to your home’s survivability

Making Your Property Making Your Property FirewiseFirewise

Making Your Property Making Your Property FirewiseFirewise

Survivable Survivable SpaceSpace

Survivable Survivable SpaceSpace

• Make your home survivable on its own.• Make your home survivable on its own.

1. Define and Create a “Defensible Space”

Defensible space refers to that area between a house and the surrounding wildlands where the vegetation has been modified to reduce the wildfire threat.

1. Define & Create a “Defensible Space”

Consider Type of vegetation surrounding your home The slope of the building lot

Depending on the slope and vegetation, the recommended minimum “Defensible Space” will

vary from a 30 foot perimeter for level lots… and up to a 150 foot perimeter for a sloped lots.

Does Defensible Space Make a Difference?

Yes! Investigations of homes threatened by wildfire indicate that houses with an effective defensible space are much more likely to survive a wildfire.

Poor Defensible Space

2. Break It Up

Interrupt the layers of vegetation.

Plant trees and shrubs in small groups.

Use nonflammable products like crushed rock and organic mulches

Construction of hard surfaces such as patios, sidewalks, driveways, rock and brick walls also help slow the spread of flames.

•Balance with erosion during rainy season.

•Use rock, brick, or stone paths.

•Create driveways, walkways, or patios.

3. Eliminate Ladder Fuels

Remove vegetation that allows a fire to move from lower growing plants to taller ones.

Vertical separation of three times the height of the lower fuel layer is recommended.

Reduce Flammable Vegetation, Trees and Brush Around Your Home

Fuel “Ladder”Fuel “Ladder”Fuel “Ladder”Fuel “Ladder”

Shrubs

Ground Fuels

Tree Canopy

Fire travels up the “ladder” from plant structure

4. Keep It Lean, Clean, & Green

Lean: Small amounts of flammable vegetation

Clean: No accumulation of dead vegetation or flammable debris

Green: Plants are healthy and green during the fire season

Keep It Lean, Clean & Green

Clear pine needles, leaves and debris from your roof gutters and yard

Remove dead limbs and branches within 10’ of your chimney and deck.

Fire Resistant Plants

Use Low Growing,

Non Woody Plants

Fire Resistant PlantsCharacteristics

Fire Resistant PlantsCharacteristics

High moisture content

Low fuel volume

Short plants (less than

18” high)

Desirable chemical content

(not oily or waxy)

Examples: roses, lilacs, and blue flax

5) Maintain Your Space

Annually, review these defensible space steps and take action accordingly

An effective defensible space can be quickly diminished through neglect.

6. Check Your Roof

Remove build-up in gutters and on shingles

Remove branches over the roof, under the eaves, and within 15 feet of the chimney.

Install a spark arrestor Replace flammable shingles with a fire

proof/resistant type. Inspect your roof twice a year

7. Construction and Building Location

Building site location is critical to reducing fire danger

Locate the building away from ridge tops, canyons and areas between high points on a ridge

Use fire resistant building materials and enclose the underside of balconies, decks, and eaves with fire resistant materials.

Consider installing a sprinkler system within the house to protect your home

8. Have An Emergency Water Supply

In communities where there is an insufficient water supply, homeowners should provide additional personal water storage.

Extra water could take the form of an above

ground water tank, an underground water tank, or even a swimming pool.

Clearly mark all water supplies so that firefighters

can locate the source quickly.

9. Fireproof Your Signs and Access

Access to your property is important

Roads and driveways must be wide enough to

accommodate emergency vehicles

Establish alternate ingress and egress routes

Make sure your address is clearly displayed on a

fireproof sign at the entrance to your property.

10. Do Emergency Planning

Planning in advance of an emergency

Family members should agree on a “safe area” where they can meet

Planning should include how to secure your

residence, what to pack, back car into driveway for quick escape, and other important, life saving facts.

10 Key Points

1. Define Your Defensible Space2. Break it Up3. Eliminate Ladder Fuels4. Keep Lean, Clean and Green5. Maintain Your Space6. Check Your Roof7. Construction and Building Location8. Have An Emergency Water Supply9. Fire Proof Your Signs And Access10. Do Emergency Planning

10. What To Do When Wildfire Strikes

Plan Ahead

Keep an emergency checklist Prepare evacuation plan for house and

neighborhood Have important documents accessible

What To Do When Wildfire Strikes

Home preparation

Close all windows and doors Arrange garden house to reach any area of

your home Pack your car quickly for departure

What To Do When Wildfire Strikes

Stay Calm

Leave early, don’t delay Contact friends and family to inform

them of your plans Monitor local radio and television for fire

reports and evacuation procedures