With climate change, wildfires have become more frequent and devastating, increasing the risk for homes situated near natural areas. Read on to develop greater wildfire awareness, learning ways to protect homes from wildfires. With these tips, you can reduce the risk of losing everything.
Create a Defensible Space
Defensible space is a 100-foot buffer zone around your home clear of flammable objects. Fires need fuel to survive and thrive. Create a buffer by following this pattern of clearing the area:
- 0 to 5 feet: Keep this area free of wood mulch, dry debris, or flammable plants. Use rocks or noncombustible materials for landscaping.
- 5 to 30 feet: Regularly prune trees and keep grass trimmed to minimize fuel for fires. Maintain space between shrubs to prevent the fire from spreading.
- 30 to 100 feet: Thin out dense trees and vegetation to reduce the intensity of a potential fire before it reaches your home.
Build With Fire-Resistant Materials
Is it time to build or renovate your home? Reconsider or revisit the materials you use according to these suggestions:
- Roofing: Use roofing materials rated Class A (the highest roofing class), such as metal or asphalt shingles.
- Siding: Fiber cement and stucco provide excellent fire resistance.
- Windows: Double-pane or tempered glass windows better withstand high heat.
Maintain Your Gutters and Roof
Keep your gutters clear. This small habit keeps rain flowing and directed away from your foundation during rainstorms and snow and ice melt. More importantly, when it gets dry and your gutters are clogged with dried twigs, leaves, pine needles, and other organic debris, this area is a perfect place for a fire to catch and run amok. Installing guards keeps gutters clear, but you must still watch for buildup.
Have Fire Prevention Tools
Unless you’re a member of a crew, no one expects you to fight a forest fire. But just in case, it pays to have a few basic firefighting tools available to tackle little fires before they become big blazes. Keep fire extinguishers on every level of your home. Have a garden hose or bucket ready to put out campfires, fire pits, barbecues, or other fire sources on your property.
Have an Emergency Plan
Be ready to leave when told by the authorities or when it’s clear you’re in danger. Have an evacuation plan in place, share it with your family, and practice fire drills occasionally. Have a bug-out bag ready with food, water, important documents, and other emergency supplies. By taking these steps, you can reduce the risk of wildfire damage to your home, protecting yourself and your loved ones.
Those are just a few thoughts on wildfire awareness and ways to protect homes from wildfires. Do you volunteer with or work with your local firefighting crew? Contact us for more information on wildfire safety and supplies. We equip firefighting crews with fire hose nozzles and other emergency equipment. Stay safe, and be prepared!