Wildfires

Few people realize that when they move to the edges of wilderness, they move into the domain of wildfires. Even though you may live in a thoroughly contemporary suburb, if you can look away into open country, brush or deep woods, you're vulnerable during hot and dry seasons.

According to the Institute for Business and Home Safety, one-third of U.S. homes are located in the Wildland Urban Interface, areas that combine housing developments with natural topography, trees and vegetation. In recent years, homes in these areas have become common casualties of hard-to-control wildfires.

You don't have to lose your home and possessions to nature's burning rage. It's never too early to prepare, and you can take several basic steps right now to protect your family and your home from disaster.

Your home, your castle

You can do a lot to protect your home from being destroyed by wildfire, both inside and out, and in many cases upgrades can be handled without hiring a contractor or engineer. Regardless, be sure that if you're planning significant structural renovations that they are in line with local building codes before you start. Most wildfire mitigation actions are affordable and can be accomplished over a weekend. 

Think ahead when building or remodeling

A wildfire poses a threat to any structure in its path. To increase the chances of your home escaping with minimal damage, homeowners should retrofit an existing home or choose wildfire resistant features when building a new home. The list below provides some examples:

• Select a location with multiple ways to enter and exit, both your home and your neighborhood, to make sure if one route is blocked, you still have a way out.
• Homes with the highest risk of burning are those situated on the perimeter of housing developments adjacent to wildlands.
• Houses situated fewer than 15 feet apart are at higher risk from wildfires.
• Cover attic, eave and sub-floor vents with noncombustible screening with a mesh size no greater than 1/8 inch.
• Avoid flammable materials such as wood shingles when building your roof because they can easily catch fire from wind-blown sparks. Select Class A noncombustible materials instead.
• If you have a barrel tile roof, seal the open edges with grout to prevent windblown embers from entering your home.
• Limit the size and number of windows that face large areas of vegetation. The heat from a wildfire can cause windows to break even before the home ignites.
• Install tempered glass or multi-layered glazed panels in exterior windows, glass doors and skylights. Or install solid, exterior shutters.
• Use fire-resistant siding materials.

Keep it lean, clean, and green

Flames aren’t the only concern in a wildfire. Burning embers destroy more homes in wildfires than direct contact with flames do. Windblown embers can travel a mile or more, making them a big threat to homes. You can reduce your home’s wildfire risk by:

• Avoiding the use of combustible bark and wood-chip mulch.
• Planting native, fire-resistive vegetation whenever possible.
• Enclosing the underside of balconies and aboveground decks with fire-resistive or noncombustible materials.
• Screening decks that are low to the ground with 1/8 inch mesh. Do not store flammable materials under the deck.
• Keeping grass cut short, and the 30 foot area immediately around your home well watered.
• Creating "defensible space" by removing all dry grass, brush, trees and dead leaves within at least 100 feet from your home.
• Spacing trees and shrubs at least 10 feet apart. Reduce the number of trees in heavily wooded areas.
• Pruning the lower branches within 6 feet of the ground to keep ground fires from spreading into treetops.
• Removing all dead branches overhanging your roof and all branches within 15 feet of chimneys.
• Storing firewood at least 30 feet downhill from any structure. Remove fuel sources within 30 feet of the home that will support a high-intensity spot fire – e.g. palm tree beards, wood trellises, sheds, play-sets, patio furniture, refuse/recycle containers, gazebos.
• Locating butane and propane tanks at least 30 feet from any structure, maintaining at least 10 feet of clearance around the tank. Be sure the tank vent is positioned away from structures.
• Keeping gutters and roof valleys clear of leaves, pine needles and vegetation.

Act quickly, but don’t panic

Wildfires can spread quickly, so speed and efficiency are keys to securing your home and your family.

If you have time when a wildfire is approaching:

• Remove flammable materials like trash, furniture and vehicles from around your home
• Shut off the gas
• Be ready to soak roofs, shrubs and trees with water within 15 feet of buildings
• Close all windows and doors, and remove window coverings such as curtains or blinds
• Fill any pools, hot tubs, garbage cans or other large containers with water
• Disconnect any automatic garage door openers so if the power goes out, you can still open the door

During a wildfire:

• Follow news reports so you know how much danger you're facing.
• Keep lights on for visibility in smoky conditions. Distribute flashlights.
• If you must evacuate, follow routes dictated by local officials. Wildfires can quickly change directions and your planned escape route may be blocked.

If you're in a car:

• Roll up the windows and close air vents.
• Drive slowly with the headlights on.
• If you have to stop, turn the engine off, but keep the headlights on. Get on the floor, and cover up with a blanket.
• Don't run. By letting air in the car, the temperature will increase, and smoke and sparks may enter.

If you're caught in the open:

• Go somewhere that is offers less fuel for the fire such as the backside of a mountain. Avoid canyons and saddles.
• If you're close to a road, lie down in a ditch and cover yourself with anything that can protect you from the heat.

After a wildfire:

• Don't return home until you're told it's safe to do so.
• Check roofs and attics for hot spots or sparks and extinguish them immediately. Continue checking every few hours for a day.
• Use caution when entering a building and avoid all standing water. It may have an electrical charge.
• Check over all utilities and consult a professional if damage has been done.

This information is meant to help you make decisions that may reduce your risk. Of course, we can't note every possible risk, and we can’t guarantee that these tips will work for you. However, we hope that if you use some of them, you'll better protect your family and yourself.