Wild Fire Protection

Wild fire protection may be important to you if you live in a rural setting, in the forest, or just near a green space area.

We lived in Colorado Springs, CO for several years in a condo with a huge green space behind the buildings. We were up on a hill and I have to say, the view was awesome. However, when fire season came every fall and the wild green area became dry and brittle, we feared a fire.

Most wild fires and forest fires are started by lightening (and sometimes by humans). Did you know that Colorado has more lightening strikes than anywhere in the U.S.? We used to watch the lightening show from our upper floor. There were not even 10 seconds between rapidly flashing strikes most of the time. It was awesome — and at the same time, scary. If those lightening strikes started several fires, the entire Colorado Springs could go up in smoke because there are many of those "green spaces" set aside on purpose by the City, as well as many trees.

Adequate wild fire protection for your home

Once a fire starts outdoors in a rural or forest area, it is often hard to control. Consider these facts:

1. How far is your home from a fire station? The farther away, the longer response times. And wildland firefighters are trained to protect natural resources, not homes and buildings.
2. How much water is available to suppress the fire or wet down your house to try and save it?
3. Is your home surrounded by woods, dense brush, or combustible vegetation that will fuel the fire?

Tips from the Red Cross Disaster Preparedness

1. Ask fire authorities for information about wild fires or forest fires in your area. Request that they inspect your residence and property for hazards.
2. Be prepared and have a fire safety and evacuation plan:

Tips for making your property fire resistant.

With some planning, these tips could help you have adequate wild fire protection.

1. Keep lawns trimmed, leaves raked, and the roof and rain gutters free from debris such as dead limbs and leaves.
2. Stack firewood at least thirty feet away from your home.
3. Store flammable materials, liquids and solvents in metal containers outside the home at least thirty feet away from structures and wooden fences.
4. Clear trees and brush back at least 30 feet from around your home. Beyond thirty feet, remove dead wood, debris, and low tree branches.
5. Landscape your property with fire-resistant plants and vegetation to prevent fire from spreading quickly. (hardwood trees are more fire-resistant than pine, evergreen, eucalyptus, or fir trees)
6. Make sure water sources, such as hydrants, ponds, swimming pools, and wells, are accessible to the fire department.

Tips to protect your home.

1. Good wild fire protection would be to use fire-resistant roofing, and materials like stone, brick and metal on the outside of your home. Avoid using wood materials.
2. Cover all exterior vents, attics, and eaves with metal mesh screens no larger than six millimeters or one-quarter inch to prevent debris from collecting and to help keep sparks out.
3. Install mulipaned windows, tempered safety glass or fireproof shutters to protect large windows from radiant heat.
4. Use fire-resistant draperies for added window protection.
5. Have chimneys, wood stoves, and all home heating systems inspected and cleaned annually by a certified specialist.
6. Insulate chimneys and place spark arresters on top. Chimney should be at least three feet above the roof.
7. Remove branches hanging above and around the chimney.

What to do if wildfire threatens your home?

Inside (if time permits):

1. Shut off gas at the meter. Turn off pilot lights.
2. Open fireplace damper. Close fireplace screens.
3. Close windows, vents, doors, blinds or noncombustible window coverings, and heavy drapes. Remove flammable drapes and curtains.
4. Move flammable furniture into the center of the home, away from windows and sliding glass doors.
5. Close all interior doors and windows to prevent drafts.
6. Place valuables that will not be damaged by water in a pool or pond.
7. Gather pets into one room. Make plans to care for your pets if you must evacuate.
8. Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape. Shut doors and roll up windows. Leave the key in the ignition and the car doors unlocked. Close garage windows and doors but leave them unlocked. Disconnect automatic garage door opener.

Outside (if time permits):

1. Seal attic and ground vents with precut plywood or commercial seals.
2. Turn off propane tanks.
3. Place combustible patio furniture inside.
4. Connect garden hose to outside taps. Place lawn sprinklers on the roof and near above-ground fuel tanks. Wet the roof.
5. Wet or remove shrubs within fifteen feet of the home.
6. Gather fire tools such as a rake, ax, handsaw or chainsaw, bucket, and shovel.

If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Choose a route away from the fire hazard. Watch for changes in the speed and direction of fire and smoke.