Top Ways for Preparing Your Home for Wildfires

alifewithtrees
06/18/2024
Education, Safety
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Establishing defensible space is a crucial step for all Oregonians to be ready for wildfire events. This space acts as a protective barrier between your home or business and the surrounding grass, trees, shrubs, or wildland areas. By maintaining proper defensible space, you can slow or halt the progress of a wildfire, thereby safeguarding your property. Additionally, defensible space can shield your property from flames and embers that can travel miles ahead of the fire.

Research indicates that well-maintained defensible space significantly boosts the chances of structures surviving a wildfire, even if firefighters are unable to intervene. While following these guidelines enhances the survival odds of your home or business during a wildfire, it is crucial to understand that they do not completely eliminate the risk. Therefore, always adhere to evacuation orders when a wildfire occurs.

The Home Ignition Zone

In the late 1990s, breakthrough experimental research into how homes ignite due to radiant heat led to the concept of the home ignition zone (HIZ). The HIZ is divided into three zones.

https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/wildfire/preparing-homes-for-wildfire

Immediate zone

The home and the area 0-5’ from the furthest attached exterior point of the home; defined as a non-combustible area. Science tells us this is the most important zone to take immediate action on as it is the most vulnerable to embers. START WITH THE HOUSE ITSELF then move into the landscaping section of the Immediate Zone.

Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris and pine needles that could catch embers.
Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration.
Reduce embers that could pass through vents in the eaves by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening.
Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install 1/8 inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers.
Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
Move any flammable material away from wall exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn. Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.

Intermediate zone

5-30’ from the furthest exterior point of the home. Landscaping/hardscaping- employing careful landscaping or creating breaks that can help influence and decrease fire behavior

Clear vegetation from under large stationary propane tanks.
Create fuel breaks with driveways, walkways/paths, patios, and decks.
Keep lawns and native grasses mowed to a height of four inches.
Remove ladder fuels (vegetation under trees) so a surface fire cannot reach the crowns. Prune trees up to six to ten feet from the ground; for shorter trees do not exceed 1/3 of the overall tree height.
Space trees to have a minimum of eighteen feet between crowns with the distance increasing with the percentage of slope.
Tree placement should be planned to ensure the mature canopy is no closer than ten feet to the edge of the structure.
Tree and shrubs in this zone should be limited to small clusters of a few each to break up the continuity of the vegetation across the landscape.

Extended zone

30-100 feet, out to 200 feet. Landscaping – the goal here is not to eliminate fire but to interrupt fire’s path and keep flames smaller and on the ground.

Dispose of heavy accumulations of ground litter/debris.
Remove dead plant and tree material.
Remove small conifers growing between mature trees.
Remove vegetation adjacent to storage sheds or other outbuildings within this area.
Trees 30 to 60 feet from the home should have at least 12 feet between canopy tops.*
Trees 60 to 100 feet from the home should have at least 6 feet between the canopy tops.*

*The distances listed for crown spacing are suggested based on NFPA 1144. However, the crown spacing needed to reduce/prevent crown fire potential could be significantly greater due to slope, the species of trees involved and other site specific conditions. Check with your local forestry professional to get advice on what is appropriate for your property.

A Life With Trees Wildfire Prevention

At A Life With Trees, we specialize in wildfire prevention services designed to significantly reduce the risk of wildfire damage to your home, business, and community. Our comprehensive approach in preparing your home for wildfires combines the latest in fire science with our deep understanding of tree care to create defensible spaces that are both beautiful and resilient. Contact us today for a consultation!

Resources:

https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/wildfire/preparing-homes-for-wildfire