Wildland Safety

Make a preplan
Build or re-roof your home with fire resistive roofing materials
Clear pine needles, leaves or other debris from your roof and gutters
Remove any dead branches overhanging your roof
Remove any tree branches with in 10 feet of your chimney
Cover your chimney outlet and stovepipe with a non flammable screen of ½ inch or smaller mesh
Build or re-model your home with fire resistive materials, such as brick or stucco
Enclose the underside of balconies or ground decks with fire resistive materials
Limit the number of windows that face large areas of vegetation. Install double or triplepaned windows to reduce the potential of breakage in a fire
When a brush fire threatens place a lawn sprinkler or garden hose on the roof. Do not turn the water on until you see flying brands falling on the roof
When a brush fire threatens place all ladders against the street side of your home, so anyone who stops to help can see them
Create a “defensible space” by removing all dry grass, brush, and dead leaves at least 100 feet from you home. Use ornamental landscaping plants that are fire resistive
Trees taller that 18 feet can be pruned to keep the ground fires from spreading to the tree tops by pruning the lower branches within 6 feet of the ground
Stack firewood and scrap wood piles at lest 30 feet away from structures and clear flammable vegetation that is within 10 feet of these wood piles
Locate LPG tanks (butane and Propane) away from any combustibles
Turn off gas at the meter or turn off the LPG tank before you evacuate
Defensible space must be regularly maintained to be effective
Clearly mark all emergency water sources and maintain easy firefighter access to these water sources
If your water comes from a well, consider an emergency generator to operate the pump during power failure
You should know at least two exit routes from you neighborhood in case of emergency evacuation
Make sure that any road leading up to your house allows two-way traffic, is not too steep and does not have curves too sharp to accommodate large emergency vehicles
Driveways and bridges must be strong enough to carry heavy emergency vehicles, including bulldozers carried on large trucks
Make sure dead-end roads and long driveways have turnaround areas that are wide enough for emergency vehicles
Your house address and street name should be printed in numbers and letters that are at least four inches tall, on a contrasting color background. They should be visible from all directions or travel from at least 150 feet
Be sure that your street name and house number are not duplicated elsewhere in the county
If your house is set back from your street or road, post your address at the entrance of your driveway
Store at least a three-day supply of drinking water and food that dose not require refrigeration and generally does not need cooking, include food and water for any pate as well
Store first aid supplies, portable radio, flashlight, emergency cooking equipment, portable lanterns and batteries
Prepare a list of valuables to take with you in case of evacuation; if possible, store these valuables together to save time
Prepare a list of valuables to take with you in case of evacuation
Pre-plan an escape route from your home and neighborhood. Designate an emergency meeting place for the reunion of your family members in separate vehicles and establish a contact point to communicate with concerned relatives
Practice you home escape plan regularly
Nail plywood covers over windows and vents when a brush fire threatens you home
Move the lawn furniture indoors and keep combustible furniture away from the windows
Turn on the lights in the house, porch, garage and yard so firefighters can find your home
Park your car in the garage headed out for a quick get-away if needed
Leave keys in the ignition
Close all house doors, windows and garage door but leave them unlocked
Remove light weight curtains and close heavy drapes and blinds before leaving the home
If you lack a garage space, park vehicles in the direction of escape
Don’t forget the family pets
Close all windows so that airborne sparks and embers cannot enter and ignite the upholstery of the vehicle