1. Living With Wildfire

2. The Fire Environment

3. Weather Low humidity dries vegetation
Winds dry fuels and increase fire spread

4. Topography Steep slopes increase fire spread
South and west facing slopes dry fuels more quickly

5. Fuels Fuel moisture and size affect fire intensity and rate of spread
Weather and topography cannot be changed fuels can be modified

6. Location Of Homes In Wildlands
Key to your home’s survivability
Location in relation to fuels
Your home becomes part of the fuel

7. Making Your Property Firewise

8. Survivable Space
Make your home survivable on its own.

9. 1. Define and Create a “Defensible Space”
Defensible space refers to that area between a house and the surrounding wildlands where the vegetation has been modified to reduce the wildfire threat.

10. 1. Define & Create a “Defensible Space”
Consider
Type of vegetation surrounding your home
The slope of the building lot
Depending on the slope and vegetation, the recommended minimum “Defensible Space” will vary from a 30 foot perimeter for level lots… and up to a 150 foot perimeter for a sloped lots.

11. Does Defensible Space Make a Difference?
Yes! Investigations of homes threatened by wildfire indicate that houses with an effective defensible space are much more likely to survive a wildfire.

12. Poor Defensible Space

13. 2. Break It Up Interrupt the layers of vegetation.
Plant trees and shrubs in small groups.
Use nonflammable products like crushed rock and organic mulches
Construction of hard surfaces such as patios, sidewalks, driveways, rock and brick walls also help slow the spread of flames.

14. Balance with erosion during rainy season.
Use rock, brick, or stone paths.
Create driveways, walkways, or patios.

15. 3. Eliminate Ladder Fuels
Remove vegetation that allows a fire to move from lower growing plants to taller ones.
Vertical separation of three times the height of the lower fuel layer is recommended.

16. Reduce Flammable Vegetation, Trees and Brush Around Your Home
Fuel “Ladder”
Tree Canopy
Shrubs
Ground Fuels
Fire travels up the “ladder” from plant structure

18. 4. Keep It Lean, Clean, & Green
Lean: Small amounts of flammable vegetation
Clean: No accumulation of dead vegetation or flammable debris
Green: Plants are healthy and green during the fire season

19. Keep It Lean, Clean & Green
Clear pine needles, leaves and debris from your roof gutters and yard
Remove dead limbs and branches within 10’ of your chimney and deck.

20. Fire Resistant Plants

21. Use Low Growing, Non Woody Plants

22. Fire Resistant Plants Characteristics
High moisture content
Low fuel volume
Short plants (less than
18” high)
Desirable chemical content
(not oily or waxy)
Examples: roses, lilacs, and blue flax

23. 5) Maintain Your Space
Annually, review these defensible space steps and take action accordingly
An effective defensible space can be quickly diminished through neglect.

25. 6. Check Your Roof Remove build-up in gutters and on shingles
Remove branches over the roof, under the eaves, and within 15 feet of the chimney.
Install a spark arrestor
Replace flammable shingles with a fire proof/resistant type.
Inspect your roof twice a year

26. 7. Construction and Building Location
Building site location is critical to reducing fire danger
Locate the building away from ridge tops, canyons and areas between high points on a ridge
Use fire resistant building materials and enclose the underside of balconies, decks, and eaves with fire resistant materials.
Consider installing a sprinkler system within the house to protect your home

27. 8. Have An Emergency Water Supply
In communities where there is an insufficient water supply, homeowners should provide additional personal water storage.
Extra water could take the form of an above ground water tank, an underground water tank, or even a swimming pool.
Clearly mark all water supplies so that firefighters can locate the source quickly.

28. 9. Fireproof Your Signs and Access
Access to your property is important
Roads and driveways must be wide enough to accommodate emergency vehicles
Establish alternate ingress and egress routes
Make sure your address is clearly displayed on a fireproof sign at the entrance to your property.

29. 10. Do Emergency Planning Planning in advance of an emergency
Family members should agree on a “safe area” where they can meet
Planning should include how to secure your residence, what to pack, back car into driveway for quick escape, and other important, life saving facts.

30. 10 Key Points 1. Define Your Defensible Space 2. Break it Up
3. Eliminate Ladder Fuels
4. Keep Lean, Clean and Green
5. Maintain Your Space
6. Check Your Roof
7. Construction and Building Location
8. Have An Emergency Water Supply
9. Fire Proof Your Signs And Access
10. Do Emergency Planning

31. 10. What To Do When Wildfire Strikes
Plan Ahead
Keep an emergency checklist
Prepare evacuation plan for house and neighborhood
Have important documents accessible

32. What To Do When Wildfire Strikes
Home preparation
Close all windows and doors
Arrange garden house to reach any area of your home
Pack your car quickly for departure

33. What To Do When Wildfire Strikes
Stay Calm
Leave early, don’t delay
Contact friends and family to inform them of your plans
Monitor local radio and television for fire reports and evacuation procedures

34. Prepare now to live with Fire