As more and more people make their homes in the rural areas, brush and forest fires, wildfires, become more and more probable. Wildfires usually begin unnoticed and spread very quickly.
The Three Classes of Wildfires Are:
Surface Fire - the most common type of wildfire, this burns along the forest floor, moving slowly and killing or damaging trees and brush.
Ground Fire - most commonly started by lightning, this wildfire burns on or below the forest floor from the humus layer to the mineral soil.
Crown Fires - the most dangerous, these spread rapidly by wind and move by jumping from treetop to treetop.
Eight out of every ten forest fires are started by human negligence or lightning strikes. Careless dousing of campfires, cigarettes tossed from a passing car and passing lightning storms account for the majority.
To consider wildfires in your Family Disaster Plan, plan for the following if you're going to live in a rural, wildfire potential area:
Contact your local fire department and evaluate the wildfire risk in your area.
Consult you local planning and zoning commission when building since there may be certain restrictions on types of materials or plants that you can use.
Make sure that firefighters can access your home by keeping the roads accessible and clear.
Clearly mark your driveway entrance with your address and last name.
Build or maintain an outdoor water source of some sort, a small pond, cistern, hydrant, well pump, etc.
Have a garden hose on hand that can reach all areas of the structures from the water source.
If there is a potential for power loss, consider a gas-powered pump be kept on hand for emergencies.
Keep all brush and dry vegetation cleared away from your property.
HELPING CHILDREN UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF WILDFIRES
As a family, discuss the potential for a wildfire and how each person should respond.
Make sure children understand the concept of Stop, Drop and Roll in case their clothing were to catch fire. Practice this until it is an instinct since normal reaction is to run which only increases the flames.
Teach children that fire, matches and lighters are tools for grown-ups to use ONLY. They are not toys.
Help them understand that firefighters are their friends so that they'll come out when called if there is a rescue attempt.
PROTECTING YOUR PROPERTY
When designing or building your rural property keep the following tips in mind:
Contact your local building code department and check for restrictions on certain types of materials or plants for residential use. This may help reduce injury or damage to your property.
Select building materials that may help reduce a fire risk, such as: tiles, metal siding, brick, concrete block, or rock for the exterior structure. Treat all exterior wood with fire retardant chemicals that are listed with UNDERWRITER LABORATORIES.
If possible, install electric lines underground to protect against falling wires in a storm or other disaster.
Build safe zones around your house using patios, pools, etc. to create a gap between your home and potential combustible materials. Fire moves quickly up steep slopes so you may need a larger safe zone if you're on a slope.
Make sure your chimney or stovepipes have spark arresters to prevent burning cinders from escaping the fireplace or stove.
Have a fire extinguisher on hand and know how to use it.
Have a ladder on hand that can reach the roof in case you have to wet the roof down with water.
Have proper tools on hand in case you need to fight small fires until help can arrive. These include shovels, rakes, chainsaw, handsaw, ax and buckets.
When landscaping, remember that hardwood trees are more fire resistant than pines.
Clear dead wood, leaves, rubbish etc. to remove potential fuel.
Remove dead limbs from trees in the spring and fall.
Ask the power company to clear away branches from power lines. This is their job.
Don't let the outside of your home be covered with vines - even live ones can burn.
Keep your lawn watered and mowed.
Keep propane tanks 30-feet from structures and make sure it has a pressure relief valve installed.
Make sure there's at least 15-feet between propane tanks and barbecue pits and make sure the pit has a screen above it in case of burning cinders.
Don't let rubbish and trash build up. Clean up the area around your home regularly.
Stack firewood at least 45-feet from your home.
Clean roof and gutters of debris on a regular basis.
Be aware of open burning laws and avoid open burning during fire season.
Have your chimney and stovepipes swept regularly.
Preventing wildfires is simply taking care in what you do in the woods. Build fires away from bushes and trees and be conscious of flying cinders and ashes. Make sure that you have a way to put out the fire in a hurry and NEVER leave a fire or cigarette burning unattended.
If a wildfire is reported, take the following steps:
Tune in to your local news for regular reports on the fire's progress. Wildfires can change speed and direction as quick as a tornado.
Know more than one local escape route from your area.
Back your car into your garage or park it facing towards the road. Make sure you shut the doors and keep the windows rolled up so that no flying debris can get inside. Leave your keys in the ignition so that you won't have to search for them and LEAVE THE DOOR UNLOCKED. Make sure that automatic garage doors are disconnected so that they can be opened manually in case the power fails.
If you have pets, make sure you have included them in your family's Disaster Preparedness and Escape/Evacuation plans. Confine them to one room or to pet carriers so that they don't run if frightened.
Make sure you know how to shut off gas lines at the meter or connections (Propane). Have the proper NON-SPARKING gas wrench on hand.
Move flammable furniture away from windows or doors to the center of the rooms.
Close all doors and windows inside your home to prevent drafts.
Place valuables that will NOT be damaged by water into the pool or ponds.
Make sure that you have a place to go. Contact family or friends or choose a place outside the danger zone and let others know where you are going in case they need to contact you.
Make sure you connect hoses to outside water taps and set up the gas-powered water pump.
If you have time and the wildfire is heading your direction, start taking action to protect your home. Wet down the area, cut a fire break, etc. Be sure to maintain constant news reports so that you're kept up-to-date on the location and severity of the fires.
If your hoses are long enough, you can place sprinklers on your roof and near outside gas tanks to keep them constantly wet.
Seal attic and ground vents with precut or commercial seals.
Make sure that all combustible items like shelves and benches are moved away from the home.
Wet all shrubs and trees within 25-feet of your home.
Gather your fire tools.
Be prepared to evacuate when you're instructed to do so. DO NOT wait until the last minute. Wildfires spread notoriously fast.
If you are trapped, get into a pool, pond or river. You can NOT outrun a wildfire. If there is no water, look for shelter in a clear area or among a rock bed and lie flat against the ground. Cover your body with wet clothing and breathe the air closest to the ground through a wet cloth.
If it is necessary to evacuate, do so IMMEDIATELY. Make sure you've packed your Disaster Supply Kits and your Grab and Go Packs.
Wear sturdy shoes, protective clothing and have a wet handkerchief to cover your nose and mouth. Smoke can make it difficult to breathe and can damage airways.
Secure your home like you normally would.
AFTER A WILDFIRE
Be careful of hot spots that may flare up again.
Avoid downed power lines or damaged or downed poles. If possible, remain on the scene until repair crews arrive so that no one gets injured.
Burned trees and power poles may be unstable. Take caution moving near them.
Be aware of ash pits and let everyone know where they are. They are usually full of hot ashes and cinders and can cause serious burns. These include burned tree stumps, etc.
Once you return home, check for power. If none, check the main breakers. Fire can cause breakers to trip.
Inspect the roof and outside structure and make sure there are no ashes or burning embers.
Recheck every hour or so and make sure that sparks and embers haven't been blown back onto the roof or around the outside of the house.
Take care in cleaning up afterwards, wetting down debris so that you don't breathe in ash. Wear coveralls and a facemask with nose clip for protection. Wear leather gloves when handling debris in case there are sharp objects and wear rubber gloves when handling plumbing and sewer pipes because of high bacteria levels.
Check with your local fire department for disposal of damaged containers containing chemicals like paint, solvents, cleaners, batteries, etc.
If you use propane, turn off all the valves and have the tanks, lines and fittings inspected by a propane company to make sure nothing was damaged. If fire touched the tank then the pressure relief valve was probably activated and the contents were released.
If you have aboveground home heating fuel then have this tank inspected also. Non-vented tanks usually show signs of bulging or warping. Filters and fittings may have been loosened or damaged by the fire.
Check trees around the home for damage. If they have been burned then they may be unstable.
Wells should be unaffected unless there was a fuel spill.
If the house was damaged, have the pipes inspected. If there was a loss of pressure there is the potential for bacteria to enter the plumbing. If you use public wells or water, have the water tested in case there was a loss of pressure and bacteria entered the system.
