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Wildfires -
Nature's Enemy
Even
one home that is not properly protected from fire can put a whole
community or wildland area at risk.
Each
year, wildfires destroy acres upon acres of wild-land in North
America, hundreds of homes and other structures. Public awareness
is a key factor in helping to reduce the wildfire problem.
There are many actions people can take to prevent wildfires
and to protect their property if one breaks out.
If
you are thinking about building in or near wildland areas, choose
a fire-safe location and follow these guide-lines:
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Speak
with local fire officials and inquire about what fire protection
is available.
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Know
how long it takes for firefighters to reach your location.
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Select
a location with a water supply close and large enough for
fighting a fire.
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Choose
a level building site, if possible. If your location is not
level, provide for adequate setback for all structures to
prevent your home from being hit directly by heat and flames
moving up the slope (at least 30 to 100 feet, depending on
the slope and vegetation), and to provide safety for firefighting
operations.
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Make
sure that your home's location is clearly marked from the
road, there is adequate and easy access for emergency vehicles,
and all bridges between your home and the fire department
will support the weight of a fire truck.
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Work
with your architects, contractors, landscapers and fire safety
officials to design a home that is as safe as possible from
wildland fire. For example, builders should install smoke
detectors on every level, and you should give serious consideration
to having them install automatic fire sprinklers, too.
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Your
roof as well as your exterior walls should be made of noncombustible
or fire-resistant material.
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Noncombustible
wiremesh screening should cover your chimney so that sparks
from the fireplace can't fly outside.
If
you currently live in or near wildland, there is much you can
do to protect your life and property. Here are some important
recommendations:
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Create
a safety zone around your house.
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Clear
flammable vegetation within at least a 30-foot radius of your
home and 100 feet or more in sloped areas to create a firewise
landscape and provide a safe area for firefighters and their
equipment.
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Regularly
clean debris from your gutters and roof.
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Make
sure all firewood is stacked away from your home.
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Install
and maintain smoke detectors and consider installing automatic
fire sprinklers.
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Test
your smoke detectors once a month to make sure they are working.
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Know
at least two ways out of your ground level floor, preferably
at opposite ends of the building, and out of each room on all
levels.
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