Preparing Property for Wildfire Season

As the wildfire season nears, Country Financial shares important tips and resources for preparing and protecting property, immediate surroundings, and the community.

1 Maintain a defensible space around homes. Remove any dead or dying weeds, leaves, cones, bark, and shrubs near trees. Prune branches that overhang roofs, cut down thin trees, and remove dead vegetation. If able, remove from the property trailers, RVs, and storage sheds. For added protection, install about five feet of noncombustible materials such as gravel, pavers, brick, or concrete adjacent to your home’s foundation and deck. Do not include combustible bark or mulch.

2 Reduce siding risks. Maintain a 6-inch ground-to-siding clearance. When it’s time to replace or upgrade, consider noncombustible siding such as concrete or brick.

3 Clean debris from your roof and gutters. Regularly remove leaves and twigs since debris can be ignited by wind-blown embers.

4 Inspect and trim trees. Trim trees regularly to remove dead branches. ReadyForWildfire.org recommends keeping branches 10 feet from homes and other trees.

5 Use a Class-A roof covering. These products offer the best protection for homes. Common Class-A roof coverings include clay tiles, slate, asphalt glass fiber composition shingles, and concrete tiles.

6 Choose the right fencing. Burning fencing can generate embers causing direct flame contact to homes. Use noncombustible fencing such as metal, stone, and concrete.

7 Protect eaves and vents from embers. Use 1/8-inch mesh to cover vents, and box in open eaves to create a soffit.

8 Protect windows. Close windows when wildfire threatens.

9 Reduce deck risks.  Remove combustibles from under decks and maintain effective defensible space around the perimeter. Keep in mind decayed wood is more combustible, so regularly check and replace rotten deck boards. Limit combustible items (outdoor furniture, planters) on decks.

10 Store flammables. Flammable objects such as firewood and propane tanks should be stored at

least 30 feet away from your home.

Other important practices include:

• Maintaining clear driveways and access roads for fire and emergency vehicles.
• Make sure your address is clearly visible from the road.
• Consider keeping multiple garden hoses long enough to reach all areas of the home and other structures on property.
• Homeowners with a pool or well should consider a pump.

To be fully prepared for wildfire, have an evacuation plan that includes a “go” kit or list, and where to relocate. Check with hotels, motels, and campgrounds to confirm they are open.