Wildfire season is here, and preparation is key to protecting your home and family. Creating a defensible space and taking preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of wildfire damage. Here are seven essential tips to help you defend your home from wildfires.
1. Create a Defensible Space
Maintain at least 30 feet of clear, defensible space around your home. This buffer zone can slow or stop the spread of wildfire and protect your home from embers, radiant heat, and direct flames.
2. Trim and Manage Vegetation
Trees should be trimmed so that the lowest branches are at least 10 feet off the ground, and there should be a minimum of 5 feet of space between branches. Remove dead trees, shrubs, and vegetation within 100 feet of your home to minimize fuel for fires.
3. Choose Fire-Resistant Building Materials
Ensure your home has a non-combustible roof, decking, and siding materials. Install metal mesh screens (1/8 inch or finer) over vents and under decks to block embers.
4. Clear Flammable Debris
Keep gutters, roofs, and eaves clear of leaves, pine needles, and other debris. Maintain lawns and gardens by keeping them low, green, and well-watered.
5. Safely Store Woodpiles and Propane Tanks
Woodpiles should be at least 30 feet from the home with a 10-foot cleared area around them. Propane tanks must have at least 10 feet of clearance from combustible materials.
6. Avoid Hazardous Landscaping Materials
Beauty bark and other organic mulches can smolder and ignite easily. Use non-flammable landscaping materials near your home, and avoid placing children's playsets made of combustible materials within five feet of the structure.
7. Regular Maintenance and Inspections
Ensure chimneys have spark arrestors. Inspect fences, decks, and garages for proper materials and clearance. Consistent upkeep can make a huge difference.
Bonus: Get a Free Home Wildfire Evaluation
If you live in Washington State, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers free home wildfire evaluations. They can help you assess your property and recommend improvements. Visit https://www.dnr.wa.gov/firewise for more information.
For more information or help with fire prevention strategies, contact your local DNR office or reach out to a trusted fire mitigation professional.
Stay safe, stay prepared!
