How Defensible Is Your Home?
Incident: Backbone Wildfire
Released: 7/21/2009
Klamath National Forest
1312 Fairlane Road, Yreka, CA 96097 ● Voice (530) 842-6131 ● Web: www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath
Shasta-Trinity National Forest
3644 Avtech Parkway, Redding, CA 96002 ● Voice (530) 226-2500 ● Web: www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity
Six Rivers National Forest
1330 Bayshore Way, Eureka, CA 95501 ● Voice (707) 442-1721 ● Web: www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers
Release No. FS-07 20 09 (1) July 20, 2009
Fire Information: 530-629-2816
Email: backbone.fire.info@gmail.com www.inciweb.org/incident/1716/
How Defensible is Your Home
WILLOW CREEK, Calif. - The recent lightning-caused Backbone and Red Spot fires in the Trinity Alps Wilderness served as a vivid reminder that we live in fire country. The advent of another El Nino adds to the possibility of more lightning storms. The right combination of lightning and wind can pose a serious threat to individual homes and whole communities, which brings up a very important question-how fire defensible is your home
Preparing and maintaining defensible space around your home is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself from wildfire. In addition, you are required by law in California to clear a 100 foot zone of defensible space.
"A home that does not have defensible space is extremely difficult to defend in a wildfire situation," said George Custer, an incident commander of the National Incident Management Organization. "Not only is the task extremely difficult, it poses an unacceptable risk to the lives of firefighters."
Creating a defensible space is a simple concept. The first 30 feet of space closest to your home is critical. Trees should be trimmed at least 10 feet from the roof-line. Any combustibles like leaves or pine needles need to be removed from roofs, gutters, and the area under decks. The 3 feet wide zone next to the structure should be a non-combustible material such as gravel or pavers. Keep the grass green and mowed. Remove highly flammable vegetation such as eucalyptus or manzanita and firewood from with within at least 100 feet of the structure. Store gasoline-powered equipment and gas cans away from the structure.
In the next 70 feet of the 100 foot defensible zone be sure to remove all dead, dying, and diseased vegetation. Duff, leaves, and debris need to also be removed. Create space between vegetation to reduce the likelihood of spreading wildfire. Leave at least 10 feet between the branches of adjacent trees. Increase the spacing between branches of adjacent trees to 30 feet as slope increases. Limb trees up to at least three times the height of lower shrubs. Shrubs should be spaced at least 3 feet apart. Choose plant species that are more resistant to wildfire. Hardwoods are less flammable than evergreens.
There are numerous sources of information available to help plan your defensible space. The http://www.firewise.org/ website includes an interactive module to help you plan for the wildfire season. Another excellent information source is the California Fire Safe Council as well the many local fire safe councils. To find a local fire safe council in your area visit http://www.firesafecouncil.org/
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