Wildfire season seems to come earlier each year. By taking proactive steps, you can prepare your home against wildfires and other destructive summer storms.
Does your property have overgrown vegetation?
- Remove vegetation three feet around the perimeter of your home.
- Arrange all plants and shrubs with space between them.
- Trim back or remove larger, overgrown plants and bushes.
- Break up continuity of vegetation with non-combustible materials, such as rock, pavers or non-flammable plants.
Does your property have plants adjacent to your deck, porch or siding?
- Remove plants and bushes at least three feet from deck, porch and siding.
- Replace flammable vegetation with low-growing, high moisture content plants.
Does your property have wood piles or climbing vegetation that could enable a fire to climb?
- Remove all ladder fuels around the perimeter of your home and around trees at least 30 feet.
- Remove plants or shrubs higher than 18 inches from underneath trees.
Does your property contain dead vegetation?
- Prune trees and bushes and remove all dead branches.
- Remove all dead leaves, pine needles and debris under vegetation.
- Remove all dead vegetation from underneath porches or decks.
Does your property have large trees or plants?
- Create 10 feet of space between crowns of trees by pruning, thinning or removing trees. Conifer trees should be spaced 30 feet between crowns.
- Remove branches overhanging the roof.
- Larger trees should be located at least 10 feet away from the house.
- Prune lower branches of trees 6-10 feet from the ground.
Is there tall, dry grass on your property?
- Cut and remove dry tall grass around your home on a regular basis.
- Keep a minimum of 30 feet of defensible space healthy and irrigated throughout wildfire season.
For more information visit, https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/
Firewise-USA/The-ember-threat-and-the-home-ignition-zone. Copyright © 2015 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). All rights reserved.
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