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Wildfire Safety Wildfire Safety is on everyone’s minds in our area. In August of 2006 the Derby Fire started in the Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains in South Central Montana. 26 homes were destroyed in the blaze that burned more than 200,000 acres over two counties. This year the Hicks Park Fire and the Wicked Creek Fire both threatened homes south of us. Luckily, the weather cooperated this year and both fires were brought under control with relatively minimal losses.
It’s not just people in the Big Timber area that should be concerned. Anyone building or living in a rural, forested, or remote location may face the threat of wild fires. Wild fire is uncontrollable, unpredictable, and is impossibly fast, so there is no way to guarantee that your home won’t go up in smoke. But, there are ways to suppress the risk and minimize fire damage to your house. The goal is to reduce a fire’s access to flammable fuels around the structure. Starting with the home itself, the roof is one of the most vulnerable components and should be made of non-flammable materials. Class A asphalt shingles, metal, cement, and concrete products are available and greatly reduce the chances that the roof will ignite. Structures made of wood, including log and timber homes, decks, and siding should be treated with UL-approved fire-retardant chemicals. Installing double paned windows will help insulate the house, while ½ mesh screen used beneath porches and decks aid in keeping cinders out.
Moving to the landscaping, again the goal is to reduce fuel that can feed the fire by creating a survivable space around the home. The term survivable space does not refer to the ability of humans to survive there, but rather to an area that improves the chances of the home’s survival. This survivable space is an area at least 100 feet and preferably at least 200 feet on all sides of the home. Remove anything that burns easily from the survivable space, including firewood piles, dead and dense vegetation, leaves and branches, and pine needles. It only takes one spark to start any of these materials on fire. Certain plants contain waxes, oil, or resins that are flammable and should not be planted within 30 feet of your home. Juniper, pines, and sage brush all contain flammable resins. Deciduous trees and shrubs have lower levels of these substances and a higher moisture content so they are a better option for your landscaping. Introducing rocks, gravel, and other inflammable materials into your plan can provide decorative and functional deterrents. A barrier, 6 inches or wider, placed around the perimiter of the home is a good idea. Also, install water sources such as frost free spigots on all sides of the home to provide easy access to water when it's needed. Thinning trees decreases the chances of a fire crowning in the tops of the trees moving quickly from one tree to the next. Trees should be spaced at least 15 feet apart. Ladder fuels, such as shrubs, fallen leaves and needles, branches, and vines should be removed from under the trees. Fires often start in the ladder fuels and move up into the trees above, so their reduction is important.
The terrain of your lot affects how a fire progresses. Fire moves fastest on an uphill slope sending flames and sparks up ahead of it. Ideally, a home should be built at least 30 feet from the edge of a ridge. If that is not possible, then modifying the vegetation (thinning, removing ladder fuels, and trimming trees) should be done so that flames cannot directly reach your structure. One aspect that many homeowners overlook is emergency vehicle access. When designing your driveway, make sure that it is able to accommodate firefighting vehicles and ambulances. Consider the width, the slope of the road, and curves. Fire trucks and ambulances may have troubles navigating narrow, steep, or curvy drives. A driveway should be at least 12 feet wide with a vertical clearance of a minimum 15 feet. Also make sure that your address is displayed clearly. The best tip we can offer is to support your local fire department. Your local department is usually the first responder to a wild fire. Most fire fighters in rural areas are volunteers and the departments are funded largely with donations. A well-prepared fire department is your best chance of keeping your home safe. Your local extension agent, Forest Service office, or fire department can offer you more information on your specific area and protecting your home from wild fire. Sources: More Information: |
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