Reducing Fire Risk

12/12/2017 (Permalink)

As temperatures rise, especially in dry, warm climates, fire risk increases as well. Entire communities need to work together, especially those in fire-dependent ecosystems, creating fire-wise solutions that will help to prevent fires from happening, and to ensure that when they do, that fire fighters can effectively extinguish them.

Follow these tips to help reduce the risk of fire, and when fire does occur, that it is possible for firefighters effectively combat them.

Check smoke detectors 
Working smoke detectors can save lives. What may start as a small kitchen fire can quickly spread. Make sure to keep smoke detectors fully charged and operational.

Have an EDITH 
EDITH stands for: Exit drills in the home. Cal Fire suggests sketching a floor plan of the home, and then creating an escape plan with arrows that map out the primary and secondary escape routes. Then, have a drill and test out the routes.

Create a firebreak around your home 
A firebreak is a gap in vegetation that will stop or slow the spread of a wildfire. Having flammable vegetation directly surrounding a home will make it extremely difficult for fire fighters to save it.

the following standards for clearance requirements of vegetative growth:

a) Maximum height of 4 inches 
b) Located within 100 feet of any building or structure, or to the property line, whichever is nearer 
c) Located within 50 feet from the edge of any improved roadway 
d) Located within 50 feet from each property line 
e) Located within 10 feet on each side of driveways

Firewise landscaping 
Replacing plants that are prone to fire with plants that are more fire resistant can dramatically reduce the risk of fire around a home. Some fantastic fire resistant plant options include: all species of iceplant, wild strawberry, carnations, and all succulents. In general, look for moist, supple leaves, and plants with little sap production. Keep in mind that fire resistant plants can still ignite, but they can reduce the risk of fire and make it easier for firefighters to access the home during the event of a fire.