Know the Basics: Wildfire Prevention
As with all fire, wildfires require three elements:
Heat, which can come from lighting or human sources.
Fuel, which a wildfire can get from vegetation, buildings or other materials.
Oxygen, which is supplied by the wind.
Controlling Fuel Sources
The most effective method to protect your facilities from a wildfire is to control the fuel sources around your buildings and across your property:
- Clear leaves, pine needles and other debris from the roof, eaves, gutters, decks, porches and building foundations.
- Limit the vegetation (grass, plants and trees) within 200 feet from any buildings.
- Relocate any above-ground propane tanks at least 30 feet from any buildings.
- Move stacked wood at least 30 feet from any buildings.
- Remove waste, debris and clutter from your property regularly.
Controlling Human Ignition Sources
While lightning-ignited and otherwise natural wildfires are bound to happen, most wildfires in the United States begin from human ignition sources and are therefore preventable. You can take simple actions every day to lower the risk of wildfire in your area:
- Practice campfire safety by:
- Paying attention to fire warnings in your area.
- Avoiding lighting a campfire on dry, windy days.
- Never leaving a campfire unattended.
- Keeping water and a shovel on hand to extinguish the fire completely before leaving.
- Dispose of smoking materials properly.
- Avoid setting hot machinery in dry grass.
- Provide spark arrestors to any gasoline-powered engines, including:
- Lawn mowers
- Trimmers
- Chain saws
- Tractors
- Place spark arrestors over any flue openings on chimneys and stovepipes with openings less than 1/8 inches.
- Store gasoline and other flammable liquids in UL-listed fire cans.
Taking Precautions During a Wildfire
If you find yourself dealing with wildfire, consider taking these additional precautions:
- Close all windows during a wildfire to prevent embers from entering buildings and structures.
- Use 1/8-inch mesh metal screens beneath porches, decks, floor areas and any structure itself.
- Protect any openings to the roof and attic that are used for venting with 1/8-inch mesh metal screens.
- Seal any roof openings that are not used for venting and enclose the eaves on your roof.
- Ensure that there is adequate accessibility for fire and emergency vehicles to your property.
Protecting Your Property
Wildfire spread quickly. By incorporating the safeguards listed above, you can reduce your property exposure to wildfires. For additional resources on wildfires, please review these sources: