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June 2010
Hemlock Farms is a Firewise/USA Community. The Firewise Communities goal is to promote community–wide participation in the use of technology, policy and practices that minimize the loss of life and property to wildfire, independent of firefighting efforts, with a focus on the “home ignition zone.” This year’s “Firewise Day” will help you learn how to use a fire extinguisher with a presentation and a demonstration. This is important to a Firewise Community because a burning home is an ignition source that can spread to the woods and your neighbor’s home. We’ll have a raffle for free fire extinguishers. Be a good neighbor and attend this year’s Firewise Day!
May 2010
Spring fire season usually “settles down” when the trees leaf out. Trees filled with leaves provide shade, protection from wind, and retention of moisture under the canopy. Once the leaf buds have opened, trees draw much less water from the ground. These happenings reduce the dry and windy conditions that are conducive to wildfires. However, if periodic rainfall and hot weather persist, fire season may extend into the summer months. Always be cautious when carrying an ignition source (such as a lighted match or cigarette butt), and protect the “defensible space” around your home by removing fuel sources (such as dead leaves and wood piles).
April 2010
Spring fire season is here. Trees are blooming and leafing out - pumping millions of gallons of water from the soil into the trees. Dry air masses and windy conditions add to the drying effect. Dead leaves on the ground provide the fuel, All these factors create “combustible” fire conditions. A carelessly tossed cigarette, or ashes from a fireplace tossed into the woods, can spark a brush fire. If not extinguished quickly, a small brush fire can turn into a major wildfire. Be mindful of these and other ignition sources. “Only you can prevent forest fires.”
March 2010
The HFCA Firewise Board will be looking at Firewise practices around the home. Recommendations and practical tips applicable to conditions in our community will be available. This Board is a group of volunteers from the community and the Hemlock Farms Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company. Learning and applying to your property may save your home from damage or destruction during a wildfire.
February 2010
Although mulch helps retain soil moisture, when dry, it can become flammable. Mulch as well as all landscaping should be kept well watered to prevent them from becoming fire fuel. To conserve water, find an alternative to mulch. Remember, piling mulch in a “volcano” around a newly planted tree is not a good planting practice.
January 2010
Here’s a quick lesson on how fire starts and how easily it spreads across the landscape. Both have three components and are often depicted as triangles. If OXYGEN, FUEL, and HEAT are present, fire will start. Remove any one of these three to extinguish a fire; e.g. smother the flame with a blanket or cool the heat with water. The spread of a fire depends on the CLIMATE, TOPOGRAPHY, and VEGETATION. Fire spreads faster in hot places with low relative humidity and high winds (climate). Fire spreads faster on a slope (topography). Fire spreads faster in vegetation that is very dense or more prone to ignite - these are called “flammable fuels” (vegetation). Remember this lesson when you consider ways to make your property “Firewise.”
December 2009
The cold weather is settling in. Have you stoked your fireplace, yet? Remember, a screen or spark arrestor on your chimney prevents glowing embers from your fire from landing in your or your neighbor’s woods. Also, never dispose of ashes from your fireplace outside unless they are HAND-COLD. Many wildfires are started from fireplace ashes that are tossed out in the woods.
November 2009
Leaves are falling on our roofs, in our gutters, and accumulating against homes and structures. A Firewise practice is to remove leaves, twigs and branches from roofs and gutters and move the debris from the 30 foot perimeter around structures.
October 2009
You can reduce the probability of wildfire loss if you adopt Firewise landscaping practices, especially within 30 feet of your house. Remove material that can burn easily, move firewood, and clear dead and dense vegetation from at least 30 feet from around the house. Remove flammable plants that contain resins, oils, and waxes from within 30 feet of your house. Regularly pick up leaves, branches and pine/fir needles. When planting, choose plants with high moisture content. They are more fire-resistive than others, and can slow a fire’s spread. Trees and shrubs should be well-spaced well spaced, watered and properly pruned. Remove dead or low-hanging branches.
September 2009
Decks are wonderful places to entertain, view wildlife, and enjoy the outdoors. Remember that leaves and other dead vegetation can accumulate underneath your deck. Remove the debris from under your deck and consider placing a wire mesh or lattice made of fire-resistant material around the underside of your deck. This will prevent debris from blowing under your deck. In the event of a wildfire, this covering will also prevent flying embers, which are ignition sources, from landing under your deck.
August 2009
The area twenty-five feet beyond the three- to five-foot barrier of non-flammable material next to your house should be of “low-flammable” vegetation. Trees should be pruned six to ten feet above ground and conifer tree crowns should not touch. All dead vegetation, such as leaves and limbs, should be cleared. Remember that wildfire spreads by pre-heating the vegetation before the moving front and burning the fuels. If the fuels (vegetation) are unlikely to quickly ignite and burn, the fire will not advance rapidly or with great intensity toward your home.
July 2009
A three- to five-foot barrier of non-flammable material next to the foundation of your home is a firewise practice to protect your property from wildfire. The barrier should also be pervious so that rain soaks into the ground and recharges our aquifer that holds our drinking water. Gravel or lava rocks are acceptable materials.
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