Wildfire Protection Plan

The recent surge of wildfires in California has started people thinking about what they would do in the event of a wildfire. If you live in a high-risk area, how can you prevent something like this from happening? If you can't prevent it, how can you protect yourself and minimize the property damage?

Wildfires generally begin in more remote areas, going unnoticed until someone spots them. Usually by this time, they have ignited nearby trees and buildings. They are generally placed into two classes: surface and ground, and the more advanced, crown fire. Surface fires are often caused by negligence, such as cigarette butts thrown into dry brush, or untended campfires. Ground fires are usually started by lightning. By the time a fire reaches the Crown fire stage, its being spread by the wind through the tops of the trees.

Making Your Home More Fire Resistant

- Keep your roof and gutters, and areas around your house free of debris, and clean your chimneys at least once a year (inspecting at least twice).
- Make certain your chimney or stove pipe meets local requirements and building codes. Deposit the ashes in a metal bucket, soak in water for 2 days, and then bury the cold ashes.
- Apply 1/2 inch mesh screen beneath porches, decks, floors or any other openings.
- Install protective shutters or extra-heavy fire-resistant drapes.
- Landscape with fire-resistant plants such as hardwood trees, and use more native vegetation. Trim your trees to create a 15-foot space between tree crowns and remove limbs 15 feet from the ground.
- Consider boxing in the eaves, fascias, soffits and subfloors with fire-resistant materials.
- Use double-paned or tempered glass for exterior windows and fire-resistant roofing materials on the roof.

Creating a Safety Zone

- If you have branches overhanging power lines, call the power company to have them cleared.
- Remove vines from the walls of your home.
- If you have a wooden fence, do not connect it directly to your home.
- Clear a 10-foot area around propane tanks and the barbecue.
- Store gasoline, oily rags or other flammable materials well away from the base of buildings.
- Stack firewood at least 100 feet away and preferably uphill from the building. Clear an area within 20 feet of the wood.
- The distance between your house and the closest tree should be greater than the height of the tree or a minimum of 10 feet. The same rule applies for sheds or other out-buildings. Planning Water Requirements

- Determine where your closest water sources are and maintain them.
- Have a garden hose(s) handy that will reach any area of the home.
- Consider purchasing a generator in the case of electrical power loss.

Personal Safety Measures

- Ensure your home address is clearly marked for identification by emergency vehicles.
- Post fire emergency numbers, and ensure family members know where to find the fire extinguishers and how to use them.
- Plan a home and neighborhood escape route.
- Have working smoke alarms installed on each level of your home; test them monthly and change batteries twice a year.
- Keep fire tools handy such as an approved ladder that will reach the roof of the building, buckets, chainsaw, shovel, rake, and an axe.
- Keep a battery-operated radio nearby, with charged batteries.

Neighborhood Safety

- Organize neighborhood meetings to discuss wildfire safety, ways the group can work together in the event of a fire, and invite guest speakers from the local fire department.
- Have those interested in helping to fight fires attend training sessions.

The recent surge of wildfires in California has started people thinking about what they would do in the event of a wildfire. If you live in a high-risk area, how can you prevent something like this from happening? If you can't prevent it, how can you protect yourself and minimize the property damage? Wildfires generally begin in more remote areas, going unnoticed until someone spots them. Usually by this time, they have ignited nearby trees and buildings. They are generally placed into two cla

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