|  Wildfires only happen in California, right? Well, maybe in Florida and New Mexico too, but certainly not in your neighborhood. However, in truth, nearly every state has been devastated by wildfires in the last century. Over 140,000 wildfires occurred on average each year, burning a total of almost 14.5 million acres. And since 1990, over 900 homes have been destroyed each year by wildfires.
While wildfires are more frequent in the West, recent events have demonstrated that this is clearly a nationwide problem. This is because more of us are living in rural areas closer to nature. These areas are more prone to wildfires and that means our homes are at risk. No home is fireproof, but by taking the necessary precautions, your home has a better chance of surviving such a catastrophe.
So, what can you do to protect yourself, your home and property from wildfires? This brochure presents tips for preparing your home and yard to survive a wildfire. The information and suggestions presented in this brochure range from simple weekend tasks to involved projects that may require professional assistance. Before starting on any activity, make sure you are comfortable with the required skill level. If you are uncertain, contact a professional engineer, architect, or building contractor.
First Things First
If you’re handy with a hammer and saw, you can do much of the work yourself. Work involving your home’s structure may require a building contractor, or a registered design professional such as an architect or engineer.
Before making any structural changes to your home, check with your local building officials to be sure what you’re doing complies with local building codes.
Give Your Home A Survivable Space Through Smart Landscaping
Create a zone around your house that will slow the wildfire down and possibly direct it around your home. To do this, you must view your yard as a fuel source. Fire will only burn if fuel is present. Fuel can be your landscaping, woodpiles, decks, etc. To create your survivable space, take the following steps within 30 feet of your home, 50 feet if you live in a heavily treed area or 100 feet if your home is on a hillside
Introduce more native vegetation.
Space trees at least 10 feet apart
Remove dead or dying trees and shrubs.
Keep trees and shrubs pruned. Branches should be a minimum of 6 feet from the ground and shrubs under trees should be no more than 18 inches high.
Mow your lawn regularly and dispose promptly of cuttings and debris.
Maintain your irrigation system.
Clear your roof, gutters and eaves of debris.
Trim branches so they do not extend over roof or near the chimney.
Move firewood and storage tanks 50 feet away from home and clear areas at least 10 feet around them.
Store flammable liquids properly.
Do not connect wooden fencing directly to your home.
Build or Retrofit Your Home With Non-flammable Materials
If the wildfire gets to the house, another line of defense is the type of materials used on your home’s exterior. Use the following guidelines to best protect your home:Use only non-combustible roofing materials.
Box in the eaves, fascias, soffits and subfloors with fire resistant materials like treated wood, reducing the vent sizes.
Apply 1/4" non-combustible screening to all vent or eave openings.
Install spark arresters in chimneys.
Enclose the undersides of decks with fire-resistant materials.
Cover exterior walls with fire resistant materials like stucco, stone, or brick. (Vinyl siding can melt and is not recommended).
Use double paned or tempered glass for all exterior windows.
Install noncombustible street signs.
Make sure your street address is visible from the street.
When A Wildfire Threatens
Become familiar with your community’s Disaster Preparedness plans and create a family plan. Identify escape routes from your home and neighborhood and designate an emergency meeting place for your family to reunite if you become separated.
Put together an emergency kit that includes a three-day supply of drinking water and food you don’t have to refrigerate or cook; first aid supplies; a portable NOAA weather radio; a wrench and other basic tools; a flashlight; work gloves; emergency cooking equipment; portable lanterns; fresh batteries for each piece of equipment; clothing: blankets; baby items; prescription medications; extra car and house keys; extra eyeglasses; credit cards and cash; important documents, including insurance policies.
A well prepared home has the greatest chance of surviving a wildfire. These are just a few of the design criteria we recommend, but for more information, visit our website at www.ibhs.org or contact IBHS toll-free at 1 (866) 657-IBHS (4247).
For more information about protecting your family and home from wildfires, check these sources:
National Fire Protection Association
(http://www.nfpa.org)
FIREWISE COMMUNITIES
(http://www.firewise.org/communities)
NATIONAL INTERAGENCY FIRE CENTER
(http://www.nifc.gov)
www.ibhs.org for more information.
Review your homeowners insurance policy periodically with your insurance agent or company representative to make sure you have sufficient coverage to rebuild your life and home after a wildfire. Report any property damage to your insurance agent or company representative immediately after a natural disaster and make temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
For information about filing an insurance claim after a natural disaster, contact your insurance agent or insurance company.
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