While Western Washington is relatively well protected from risk of wildfire, the recent devastating fires around the country have served as a wake-up call for all of us. While we can’t control the weather, we can take proactive steps to protect our homes. Creating defensible space around your property is crucial, and focusing on the exterior is a great place to start. Here’s what you can do to minimize your wildfire risk:
1. Create a “Lean, Clean, and Green” Zone:
- Lean: Reduce the amount of flammable vegetation immediately adjacent to your home. This means pruning trees and shrubs, especially conifers, to remove low-hanging branches and dead material. Keep branches at least six feet away from your house and roof. Consider creating “fuel breaks” – areas of low-growing, less flammable plants – around your home.
- Clean: Regularly remove dead leaves, pine needles, and other debris from your roof, gutters, decks, and around the foundation. These act as readily available fuel for embers. Keep firewood stacks at least 30 feet away from your house.
- Green: Maintain a healthy, irrigated landscape. Well-watered plants are less likely to ignite. Choose fire-resistant plants that are low-growing, drought-tolerant, and have high moisture content. Native species are usually a good choice.
2. Harden Your Home’s Exterior:
- Roof: A fire-resistant roof is paramount. Consider replacing wood shake or shingle roofs with materials like metal, tile, or composition shingles. Clean your roof regularly, especially after dry periods.
- Siding: Similar to your roof, choose fire-resistant siding materials. Fiber cement siding, stucco, and brick are excellent options. Avoid highly flammable materials like vinyl siding in high-risk areas.
- Windows and Doors: Embers can easily enter your home through windows and doors. Install double-paned windows and use tempered glass for added fire resistance. Install weather stripping and tight-fitting doors to prevent embers from entering. Consider metal screens on windows and doors.
- Decks and Porches: Decks and porches can be significant fuel sources. Use fire-resistant decking materials like composite decking or concrete. Keep the area underneath decks clear of debris and vegetation. Enclose the underside of decks with fire-resistant sheathing to prevent embers from accumulating.
3. Landscaping Considerations:
- Spacing: Space trees and shrubs appropriately. The closer they are to your house, the more critical it is to prune them. A good rule of thumb is to create increasing spacing between trees and shrubs as you move away from your home.
- Ground Cover: Choose fire-resistant ground covers like clover or creeping thyme. Avoid highly flammable ground covers like juniper or pine bark mulch near your house.
- Vertical Fuel Ladders: Prevent “ladder fuels” – vegetation that allows fire to climb from the ground to trees or your house. Prune low-hanging branches and remove shrubs growing under trees.
4. Water Supply:
- Hoses: Keep garden hoses readily available and long enough to reach all areas of your property.
- Sprinklers: Consider installing a sprinkler system, especially in high-risk areas. This can be used to dampen vegetation and structures during a fire.
5. Stay Informed:
- Local Resources: Contact your local fire department or forestry service for information on wildfire risk and regulations in your area. They can provide valuable advice tailored to your specific location. Many areas have public signage showing the current fire risk.
- Fire Weather: Stay aware of fire weather conditions and red flag warnings. These are periods of increased fire danger.
By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of your home being damaged or destroyed by wildfire. Remember, creating defensible space is an ongoing process. Regular maintenance is key to ensuring your home remains protected. Don’t wait until a fire is approaching – start preparing now.
