Wildfire risk reduction steps that can make your home safer during a wildfire.
By Josh Tope, Fire Chief, Pinewood Fire Department
This year, Wildfire Awareness Week will be May 1st through May 7th and with the looming threat this year we have some information that will help you make your home safer in the event of a large wildfire. Munds Park has been a Firewise Community for over 10 years but reducing risk to wildfire in a community like ours requires constant care and attention. Please remember to have your green waste on the street no later than April 25th for the Bear Jaw Green-waste Cleanup. Together we can keep our community safe.
Home Ignition Zones
To increase your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire, choose fire-resistant building materials and limit the amount of flammable vegetation in the three home ignition zones.
The zones include the Immediate Zone: (0 to 5 feet around the house), the Intermediate Zone (5 to 30 feet), and the Extended Zone (30 to 100 feet).
Landscaping and Maintenance
To reduce ember ignition and fire spread, trim branches that overhang the home, porch, and deck and prune branches of large trees up to 6 to 10 feet (depending on their height) from the ground. Remove plants containing resins, oils, and waxes. Use crushed stone or gravel instead of flammable mulches in the Immediate Zone (0 to 5 feet around the house). Keep your landscape in good condition.
Roofing and Vents
Class A fire-rated roofing products, such as composite shingles, metal, concrete, and clay tiles, offer the best protection. Inspect shingles or roof tiles and replace or repair those that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration. Box in eaves but provide ventilation to prevent condensation and mildew. Roof and attic vents should be screened to prevent ember entry.
Deck and Porches
Never store flammable materials underneath decks or porches. Remove dead vegetation and debris from under decks and porches and between deck board joints.
Siding and Windows
Embers can collect in small nooks and crannies and ignite combustible materials; radiant heat from flames can crack windows. Use fire-resistant siding such as brick, fiber-cement, plaster, or stucco, and use dual-pane tempered glass windows.
Emergency Responder Access
Ensure your home and neighborhood have legible and clearly marked street names and numbers. Driveways should be at least 12 feet wide with a vertical clearance of 15 feet for emergency vehicle access.
Develop, discuss, and practice an emergency action plan with everyone in your home. Include details for handling pets, large animals, and livestock.
Know two ways out of your neighborhood and have a predesignated meeting place.
Always evacuate if you feel it’s unsafe to stay—don’t wait to receive an emergency notification if you feel threatened by the fire.
Conduct an annual insurance policy checkup to adjust for local building costs, codes, and new renovations.
Create or update a home inventory to help settle claims faster.
Visit pinewoodfire.org to sign up for a Firewise assessment on your property.