Fireproof Your Grounds

     Fuel reduction is an effective way to reduce wildfire hazards. Blend natural breaks in forest fuels with primary and secondary fuel breaks that you construct around your of eight feet can do the job. Remove dense fuels that burn rapidly. Remove small trees, household debris, dead ground fuels and shrubs beneath large trees. Thin trees near buildings to 15 feet between tree crowns. Prune away dead or dying limbs.  Keep trees free of dead or dying wood that are near or overhanging any building.

Secondary Fuel Breaks

Grub out potentially flammable small trees and shrubs. Remove dead fuels near highly flammable vegetation that you may wish to retain as landscaping. Keep grass mowed—especially when dry.

Maintain irrigated green belts around structures.

Select ground-hugging plants near structures.

Generally reduce fuel volume, break up fuel continuity and eliminate the fuel chain between structures and surrounding forest vegetation.

Fireproof Your Building

You can do much to protect your structure in case wildfire does break through your fuel breaks and threatens your buildings.

Plan For Emergencies

Know how to contact your local firefighting agency in case of fire. Post telephone numbers in a visible place.

Decide what you would do and where you would go if a fire came your way. Plan at least two escape routes by car and another by foot

Be aware that certain family members may require special needs consideration for wildfire emergencies. An American with Disabilities Act (ADA) representative may provide this information.

Consider cutting plywood covers (hurricane shutters) for glass doors, windows and vents to reduce radiant heat.

Have a ladder long enough to reach roof areas.

Have fire tools available: long-handled round-point shovel; rake; axe; handsaw or chainsaw; 2 ½-gallon bucket.

Maintain an adequate water source with exterior hookups. Have some outlets at least 50 feet away from structures. Homes should have at least one-inch diameter supply mains.

Keep fire hose available. If water supply is adequate, use one-inch or 1 ½-inch fire hose. Alternative is ¾-inch garden hose with good nozzles. Have adequate length to reach all structures, preferably from at least two faucets at the same time.

Conduct family fire drills.

An added consideration is your pet's protection.

 If Fire Threatens

     If a wildfire threatens your home, there are several things you should do both outside and inside to minimize danger and reduce damage.

Outside the Home

Place ladders against the street side of the house so that anyone who stops to help can see them.

Inside The Home

Keep heavily lined drapes or Venetian blinds pulled over windows to keep out heat.

Move overstuffed furniture away from windows and sliding glass doors and into the center of the house to reduce the chance of ignition.

Gather up your pets so you don*t have to look for them at the last minute.

Shut off gas at the meter. After fire threat has passed, the gas company will reservice your gas appliances.

Keep your commercial radio tuned to a local station for reports and evacuation information.

Contact a friend or relative for housing for you and your family. Tell them of your plans to leave your home.

With Your Car

Manually disengage automatic garage door.

Close garage door, but leave it unlocked.

If you lack garage space, park vehicle in an open space in the direction of escape.

Leave your car key in the ignition.

Close all car windows so airborne embers cannot ignite upholstery.

Consider using your preplanned foot travel escape route to a safe area if roads are inadequate or traffic is heavy. Remember that if fire trucks cannot reach your home, they cannot fight the fire threatening your home.

If new to the neighborhood, check with your neighbors about their foot or auto escape evacuation route.

As a Last Resort

1. Enter the burned area. If escape means passing through the flame front into the burned area, do so when the flames are less than three feet deep and you can see clearly through them. Do not delay. Cover exposed skin, take several breaths, and move through the flame front quickly.
   
   
2. Burnout. If unable to enter the burned area, ignite grass and other fine fuels between you and the fire edge. Step into this burned area and cover exposed skin with clothing or dirt. This will not be effective in heavier fuels that burn for a long time.
   
   
3. Protect against radiation. Shield yourself from heat rays by seeking a shallow trench, crevice, large rock, large pond, lake, stream, vehicle, or building. Don't shelter in elevated water tanks. Cover exposed skin.
   
   
4. Lie prone. In an emergency, lie flat with head down on an area that will not burn. The chance of survival is greater in this position than if overtaken by fire when standing upright or kneeling.
   
   
5. Regulate breathing. To avoid inhaling dense smoke, take shallow, slow breaths close to the ground.

Do not Panic

It fear becomes overwhelming, judgment is impaired and survival becomes a matter of chance.