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June 2008
In a wildfire, your local fire department has two priorities – to remove you and your family from harm’s way and to stop the progression of the wildfire. If your home happens to be in the wildfire’s path, they may or may not be able to protect
it – there are simply no guarantees. Consequently, you must take action before a fire starts. Learn Firewise Practices that your can do around your home.
May 2008
Examine and protect your home’s attic, subfloor or foundation vents. Wind and/or direct contact with a fire’s convective heat can push firebrands through the vents into your home’s basement or crawl space. Your vent openings should be screened to prevent firebrands or other objects larger than 1/4 inch from entering your home. Both your vents and screens should be constructed of materials that will not burn or melt when exposed to radiant or convective heat or firebrands. Also, these vents should be corrosion-resistant to help minimize maintenance.
April 2008
Usually, it’s not a giant wall of flame that destroys homes during a wildfire event. Rather, it the “ember showers.” Thousands of red-hot embers that blow-in from a fire miles away, or embers that flare-up from falling, burnt timber after an evacuation or after a flame front moves through. Jim Smalley, Firewise Program Manager for the National Fire Protection Association, says “Residents returning to partly burnt-out neighborhoods may think the fires picked their targets randomly, but the aerial photographs say otherwise. When you look at an aerial photograph, you’ll see block after block of foundations and in between those foundations are live vegetation. What that says is the house was more combustible than the trees and other vegetation.” Build or renovate your a home with non- or limited-combustible products and significantly reduce the chance that your home will ignite during an “ember shower.” Proper maintenance helps, too, by cleaning out leaf and pine clutter from roofs, gutters or around your home, and making sensible landscape choices.
March 2008
The need to evacuate can occur without notice. Plan prior to the incident! When wildfire conditions exist, be ready to act. Discuss with your family what actions you will take. Talk about the reverse 911 system that Public Safety has established and how it works to notify members of emergency situations, such as a wildfire. Post emergency telephone numbers in a visible place. Make sure cell phone numbers are exchanged between family members. Decide where you will go and how you will get there during an evacuation. Have a plan for your pets. Practice family fire drills.
February 2008
If your driveway is very steep and narrow, emergency vehicles may not be able to gain quick access to the house. Keep driveway grades reasonable and provide a surface that will support a fire engine.
January 2008
Now that the cold weather has set-in and fireplaces are in use, make sure the spark-arrestor on your chimney is in place. Spark arrestors, or chimney caps, prevent stray sparks from setting outdoor surrounding objects on fire, and they keep out rain and animals.
December 2007
As the leaves fall down from our trees and build up in roof gutters and close to buildings, remember to clear out this material. Dry leaves are a fire hazard.
November 2007
With the onset of cold weather, some are drawn to the woodpile. It’s tempting to stack that wood just outside your door, but a best Firewise practice is stacking all wood and burnable material at least 30 feet away from your home and other buildings.
October 2007
During a large wildfire, an Incident Command System is formed. Wildfire fighters that are assigned to the incident may be unfamiliar with our community. Fire hydrants are a water source during a wildfire. Our bright red fire hydrants can be more easily located by the wildfire fighters.
September 2007
Do not permit oil-soaked rags, paints, pesticides, glass, or weeds to accumulate under your porch or deck. Keep yard clear of inflammable material.
August 2007
Is your house number posted? If your street address is not clearly posted, firefighters and other emergency services personnel may have to go house to house to find you. Post the house number in reflective numerals where it can be easily seen from the road.
July 2007 - No report
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