Firewise/defensible Space Information
Incident: Cascade Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/25/2007
FIREWISE INFORMATION
It is each homeowner's responsibility to make their home safe from wildfire and now is the time to take action. The combination of new homes being built in wildland areas and vegetation overgrowing older subdivisions makes wildfires increasingly more difficult to fight The best action homeowners can take it to create a space around their homes or cabins which may allow the property to survive a wildfire without firefighter assistance, he added. This is known as defensible space." Property owners can create this defensible space by following these tips:
- Clean out gutters, sweep decks and clean off your roof. These places can catch wind-driven embers that will ignite your home.
- Remove leaf clutter and branches overhanging the roof. Vegetation should not touch the home.
- Make sure that there are no flammable materials within 3 to 5 feet around the building.
- Dispose of plant debris according to local regulations.
- Keep your grass cut short and well watered within a 30 foot radius of structures
- Store firewood away from the house.
- Organize a neighborhood cleanup day. By helping your entire community, you'll be providing better protection to yourself.
- Contact your local fire department or agency office for more specific information.
Research has shown that homes with defensible space, free of flammable fuels, can often survive a wildfire. Defensible space later offers firefighters the advantage of extra room to operate equipment to safely reach and extinguish any active fire when they check your home after the fire passes.
There are many other things you can do if you are landscaping your yard or remodeling your home that may add to the safety of your home and the likelihood firefighters will be able to defend it. For more information and tips about landscaping go to http://www.firewise.org/,
