Living With Wildfire. The Fire Environment Low humidity dries vegetation Winds dry fuels and...
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Transcript of Living With Wildfire. The Fire Environment Low humidity dries vegetation Winds dry fuels and...
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Living With Living With WildfireWildfire
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The Fire Environment
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• Low humidity dries vegetation• Low humidity dries vegetation
• Winds dry fuels and increase fire spread• Winds dry fuels and increase fire spread
WeatherWeather
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• 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
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• 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
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• 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
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Making Your Property Making Your Property FirewiseFirewise
Making Your Property Making Your Property FirewiseFirewise
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Survivable Survivable SpaceSpace
Survivable Survivable SpaceSpace
• Make your home survivable on its own.• Make your home survivable on its own.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Poor Defensible Space
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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.
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•Balance with erosion during rainy season.
•Use rock, brick, or stone paths.
•Create driveways, walkways, or patios.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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Fire Resistant Plants
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Use Low Growing,
Non Woody Plants
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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
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5) Maintain Your Space
Annually, review these defensible space steps and take action accordingly
An effective defensible space can be quickly diminished through neglect.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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10. What To Do When Wildfire Strikes
Plan Ahead
Keep an emergency checklist Prepare evacuation plan for house and
neighborhood Have important documents accessible
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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
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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
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