We woke up this morning to a sky filled with smoke. It made for an amazing sunrise, but breathing in ash and smoke kind of takes away some of the beauty. It was a reminder that wildfire season is upon us. Since moving to the desert, we’ve experienced several different wildfires, but thankfully, we’ve never had to be evacuated. That being said, we always make sure that we’re ready “just in case” when wildfire season begins.
We recently spent a good bit of time creating a defensible space around our home. It’s a lot of work, but it feels good to have that little bit of extra security.
Here are a few things to keep in mind during wildfire season:
Protecting Your Home
- Defensible Space. You should have at least a space of 30 feet, but 100 feet is better if you have pine or other flammable trees around your home. This space should be free of debris that could easily catch on fire. Trees should be trimmed so they are 15 feet from the ground. If you have tree tops that touch, you’ll want to trim them back. Make sure all trees and bushes are pruned, so they do not touch the house. Make sure your wood pile is at least 100 feet from your home.
- Water. Make sure you have water to put out small fires and wet down areas around the house. If you have an electric pump, have a back-up generator available to pump the water. Make sure your hose reaches various areas on your property or have a portable water supply available.
- Supplies. Make sure you have shovels, rakes, and other tools to be able to fight the fire (including a bucket). Have multiple fire extinguishers on hand and make sure they are still in usable condition. Have a ladder available that allows you to get on the roof, if needed.
- Maintenance. Clean and inspect your chimney at least twice a year. Remove garbage and other flammable items from around the home. Clean debris from chimney, roof, and porch.
Protecting Your Family
- Emergency Plan. Make sure you have a family emergency plan in place and that everyone understands it. Practice your emergency plan. Have a place for the entire family to meet up if something goes wrong. Have a plan for communication if your family gets separated.
- Emergency Kit. Put together an emergency kit that has all the supplies you would need for 72 hours. Don’t forget medications and other necessary day-to-day supplies. Have a plan for your important documents. Make sure your important documents are stored in a fireproof safe.
- Safety Measures. Make sure you have fire alarms installed and that your routinely check them to make sure they are functioning properly.
Fire Safety
During wildfire season, the slightest thing can set off a fire. Make sure you that you’re following local fire regulations especially during the dry seasons. Follow safe procedures for disposing of flammable items. Make sure any fires – even those on the grill – are properly put out. Never leave a fire unattended.
For more information about wildfire safety, you can head over to firewise.org. They have some great information as well as courses on wildfire safety for homeowners and a firewise landscaping course.
