5 Ways to Prevent Wildfire Damage

  • Keep It Moist
  • Fireproof Roofing
  • Keep Out Embers
  • Maintain a Clean Zone
  • Teamwork Matters

It cannot be denied that wildfires pose a threat to human habitation in more rural regions. However, recent events indicate that even suburban and semi-urban dwellings are at risk, as decades of misdirected forestry management policy and unusually hot, dry weather come together with fire risks. The article below discusses five ways to prepare and protect the home against damage caused by wildfires.

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1. Maintain a Clean Perimeter

Because the heat of a wildfire is intense, it can spur burns at a distance. This requires dry, flammable materials such as mulch, firewood, gasoline, and kerosene kept for home maintenance tasks and camping lanterns. To protect the house adequately, property owners should maintain a perimeter around the house of 100 to 200 feet. Burnables, such as firewood and gasoline, should be kept no closer to the home than 30 feet and landscaping should be planned accordingly. While this might seem to be common sense, many homeowners use dry mulch to finish planting beds or other landscaped areas that come in direct contact with the fabric of the house. They may also store firewood in a convenient but dangerous location that touches the house.

2. Fireproof Roofing Materials

Embers from wildfires can travel quite a distance from the main blaze. When they come into contact with flammable materials, they can spark new, seemingly unconnected fires that expand the burn area significantly. The Sierra Club recommends that all homeowners who live in proximity to potential zones of wildfire activity take steps to ensure their houses are protected by installing a fireproof roof. While new roofing can be expensive, asphalt shingles or ceramic tiles are advised. This is because such materials are non-flammable and do not conduct heat like a metal roof might. In lieu of such steps, they suggest a rooftop sprinkler system or a fire-retardant coating.

3. Neighborhood Teamwork

Unless the homeowner lives in an isolated area with no nearby neighbors, this step is vital. Homes clustered together pose a fire risk to every house within 300 feet. Embers from a home that has been set ablaze can travel even farther. That’s why it’s important for neighbors to share information, collaborate to create an emergency action plan, and to be ready to assist each other in the prevention of fire. Unlike electrical or accidental home fires, the threat of wildfire to property is well-advertised and represents an external threat for which communities can prepare. They can also help fire departments, which are overextended during wild blazes, by preventing small burns from spreading.

4. Keep It Moist

While the primary seasons for wildfires are also the months in which water becomes increasingly expensive, especially in drought-prone areas, it’s essential to keep any green landscaping watered. Burn Safe TN, an organization devoted to preventing wildfire in Tennessee, advises homeowners to keep the lawn and any resinous trees well watered during the summer months, especially those close to the home. For those who live in a region in which water is scarce, they may consider Xeriscaping. While it can be used to establish a fire-proof yet attractive border of different sands and pebbles around the house proper, it also incorporates the use of native plant species and water-wise techniques for maintaining them.

5. No Embers Allowed

As mentioned above, embers can travel long distances on air currents, and prevailing wind patterns can extend their range substantially. Embers are, for those unfamiliar with the term, little floating bits of material that are actively burning. For individuals who live in an area in which wildfires may occur, even if they are at some distance from the primary burn zone, having a plan to keep embers out of the home is as important as installing a fire-proof roof. Embers can float in through pet doors and air ducts, setting fires within the home. Property owners should be prepared to cover all external vents with 1/8-inch hardware cloth, keep pet doors sealed, and have a plan in the instance fire comes into the home along with them.

The incidence of wildfire is increasing as many regions experience prolonged droughts and unusually high seasonal temperatures. Even areas that were not considered at risk in the past must now consider steps to prevent the spread of these blazes. However, with communication, proper use of resources, and smart management of flammable materials, homeowners can reduce the risk to their property and that of their neighbors. Protecting against wildfires is an act of enlightened self-interest because one home in danger can spread the risk to many others.