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You might think it’s early to be discussing fire protection, but once things dry out, it may be too late! Fire risk management should be a year-round effort, particularly if you live in the “high risk” wildland/urban interface.
Let’s start with some basics. Fire needs fuel, heat and oxygen to burn, and fires are managed by adjusting one or more of these factors. For example, firelines remove fuels while water limits heat and oxygen.
Once a fire has started, its behavior is determined primarily by fuels, weather and topography. Fuels include living and dead plant materials, and other combustibles (like structures). Ladder fuels include branches, small trees, shrubs and other materials that allow fire to climb upward into the branches of larger trees. A low-intensity ground fire can quickly become a high-intensity crown fire by traveling up ladder fuels.
With that background, here are some things you can do to reduce wildfire risk to your property.
Let’s start with some basics. Fire needs fuel, heat and oxygen to burn, and fires are managed by adjusting one or more of these factors. For example, firelines remove fuels while water limits heat and oxygen.
Once a fire has started, its behavior is determined primarily by fuels, weather and topography. Fuels include living and dead plant materials, and other combustibles (like structures). Ladder fuels include branches, small trees, shrubs and other materials that allow fire to climb upward into the branches of larger trees. A low-intensity ground fire can quickly become a high-intensity crown fire by traveling up ladder fuels.
With that background, here are some things you can do to reduce wildfire risk to your property.
Maintain at least 30 feet of defensible space around your home. Increase this space on steep slopes. Remove all dead plant material within this space, and keep the lawn well-maintained and, ideally, irrigated. Stack firewood at least 30 feet uphill from the house, and trim back any branches within 15 feet of your chimney. Prune lower branches from trees in your defensible space to a height of 10 feet, or half the total height of the tree (whichever is the least). Create similar defensible space along your public road easements, since these are likely ignition points.
Carefully examine plants used in landscaping next to your home — they are too-often highly combustible species (such as juniper). You’ll be well-served to substitute fire-resistant species such as kinnikinnick, creeping phlox, lavender, Pacific rhododendron, redosier dogwood or lilac. More options can be found in our publication “Fire-resistant Plants for Home Landscapes,” available at the OSU Extension Service office.
Material selection in home construction also affects fire risk. Roofing materials such as metal, class-A asphalt shingles and terra-cotta tiles are more resistant to fire than are standard materials, as are siding materials like stucco or masonry. Cover exterior vents, including your chimney, with screens to prevent sparks from entering your home, and keep your gutters and roof clear of debris.
Make sure your property is easily accessible by fire engines. Your driveway should be clearly marked, and roads (including turnarounds) on your property should be well-maintained and of appropriate size. The experts with the Douglas Forest Protective Association, Oregon Department of Forestry or your local fire department can advise you on specific access requirements.
Finally, provide an emergency water source if possible. This could be a pond, stream or even a swimming pool. Don’t count on well water in case of power outages!
To learn more, join us for “Protecting Your Home from Wildfire,” from 6-9 p.m. April 23. Contact our office at (541) 672- 4461 or e-mail mary.hoffman@oregonstate.edu by April 21 to register.
<i>Raini Rippy is an Extension Forester for OSU Extension Service in Douglas County. She can be reached by e-mail at raini.rippy@oregonstate.edu or at 541-672-4461.</i>
Carefully examine plants used in landscaping next to your home — they are too-often highly combustible species (such as juniper). You’ll be well-served to substitute fire-resistant species such as kinnikinnick, creeping phlox, lavender, Pacific rhododendron, redosier dogwood or lilac. More options can be found in our publication “Fire-resistant Plants for Home Landscapes,” available at the OSU Extension Service office.
Material selection in home construction also affects fire risk. Roofing materials such as metal, class-A asphalt shingles and terra-cotta tiles are more resistant to fire than are standard materials, as are siding materials like stucco or masonry. Cover exterior vents, including your chimney, with screens to prevent sparks from entering your home, and keep your gutters and roof clear of debris.
Make sure your property is easily accessible by fire engines. Your driveway should be clearly marked, and roads (including turnarounds) on your property should be well-maintained and of appropriate size. The experts with the Douglas Forest Protective Association, Oregon Department of Forestry or your local fire department can advise you on specific access requirements.
Finally, provide an emergency water source if possible. This could be a pond, stream or even a swimming pool. Don’t count on well water in case of power outages!
To learn more, join us for “Protecting Your Home from Wildfire,” from 6-9 p.m. April 23. Contact our office at (541) 672- 4461 or e-mail mary.hoffman@oregonstate.edu by April 21 to register.
<i>Raini Rippy is an Extension Forester for OSU Extension Service in Douglas County. She can be reached by e-mail at raini.rippy@oregonstate.edu or at 541-672-4461.</i>
