Winter rains promised the first truly outstanding wildflower bloom in several years. Mother Nature did not disappoint. But come June, July, & August, when the wildflowers are just a memory, all those green plants dry out & become wildfire fuel. By becoming Firewise,* you can protect your home & your community.
Firewise people create “defensible space” around their homes meaning that you have a 30 foot perimeter of space around your home that is lean, clean & green. Lean means you prune back shrubs & tree branches within 15 feet of any structures. Clean means you clean out dead plant material from around your home. Green means you have planted fire-resistant vegetation & are keeping it healthy & green.
Also, make sure your home is properly marked for emergency access, an entryway clear from flammable material. Most of all, have a plan in case you need to evacuate due to fire.
Before you are confronted with an emergency, it’s a good idea to have the following emergency plans in place. Be sure to take into consideration specific family health as well as the needs of specific family members who may suffer from disabilities or medical conditions.
* Post your local fire & police station numbers by your home phone & program them into your cell phone.
* Decide where you will go in case of a fire & plan how you will get there.
* Plan for your pets & their safety also.
* In case of fire, have tools available such as a shovel, rake, axe, handsaw, chainsaw & a 2 gallon bucket.
* Flashlights & extra batteries.
* First aid kit.
* Dust mask to help filter air.
* Wrenches or pliers to turn off utilities.
* Battery or hand crank radio, extra batteries.
* Three day supply of non-perishable food.
* Local maps.
Learn more at ready.gov.
* Firewise Communities is part of the National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Program, which is directed & sponsored by the Wildland/Urban Interface Working Team of the National Wilfdfire Coordinating Group, a consortium of wildland fire organizations & federal agencies responsible for wildland fire management in the United States.