Risks.

Wildfires are potentially very dangerous. Wildfires can occur in rural pastureland, forests, or in urban areas. Wildfires fueled by high temperature, low humidity and strong winds can spread quickly. Fast moving wildfires can destroy homes, neighborhoods, and take down power lines. These events can cost billions.

Mitigate to avoid.

There are many things we can do to prevent wildfires. Always fully put out campfires, cigarette butts, or other sources of heat. Maintain vehicles and brakes to avoid sparking roadside fires. Do not park hot cars in vegetation. Maintain electrical systems for our homes, businesses, and infrastructure.

Obey all burn bans and restrict use of fireworks, rockets, and other sources that may start unintended fires.

Prepare now.

Construct or retrofit a non-combustible defensible barrier around your home.

• Use metal roofing or other non-combustible roofing. Do not use shake, wood, or plastic roofing materials

• Use cement board siding and trim.

• Construct home using insulated concrete forms (ICF).

• Maintain a safe perimeter (50-feet) around home of non-combustible material (i.e. gravel, rock garden, concrete patio, etc.)

• Do not allow plants or trees within perimeter and never over-hang roof

Your preparedness measures should include items intended to help in the event of a wildfire.

• Sprinklers to keep perimeter wet

• Portable electric air cleaners (ion, electric, or HEPA) for use indoors.

• Humidifiers can help with indoor air quality.

• N95 mask for use when travel outside is needed.

• Masking/Painters Tape to tape window and door seals from the inside.

• Plastic Sheeting and Duct tape to seal larger wall penetrations.

Prepare a go bag in the event you are asked to evacuate.

During wildfire.

Load car with go bag and prepare valuables for evacuation. Note that you may be asked to evacuate for 3 or more weeks depending on severity and proximity to wildfire. In some cases the wildfire may destroy your property. Prepare early.

• Close windows and seal off vents with non-combustible material.

• Verify smoke detectors and working.

• Sprinkler and maintain damp perimeter including roof.

• Stay tuned with radio and television updates.

• Listen to authorities and evacuate as instructed.

Respond.

• Be ready to evacuate and listen to authorities.

• Check on neighbors and sensitive populations if you are capable of assisting.

Wildfires in general burn too hot and move too quickly for residential or volunteer firefighting assistance. Wildland firefighters receive specialty training. The best thing is to evacuate wildfire areas to reduce the load of public safety officials.

Recovery.

Eventually weather patterns will shift and the heat, wind, and humidity required to fuel wildfires will subside. Authorities will slowly relax evacuation orders.

• Wash down or wet wipe exterior surface that you use (chairs, fire pits, door handles, etc.).

• Water lawn or landscaping if it has not rained.

• Consider pressure washing or rinsing house siding and driveways.

• Wash car.

• Check building envelope seals.