Protect home from fire by clearing debris, creating space between trees, stuctures
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LAKE COUNTY — Extremely dry conditions in Lake County combined with threatening winds and lightning from summer storms prompt a reminder for homeowners to create a defensible space and increase the odds of saving their house in the event of wildfire.
“There’s a bunch of little things you can do that are pretty inexpensive,” said Karen Sargeant of the Polson Fire Department, starting by removing vegetation that can carry the fire to the home and light it up. Trimming tree branches at least 10 feet above the ground removes ladder fuels. Don’t let branches touch the house.
Another important step is to clean up vegetation in or under structures, such as clearing rain gutters and getting pine needles and dried leaves off of the roof. When those catch fire, they can burn long enough to catch the roof on fire, even with composite shingles, Sargeant said.
Clean up under decks and replace wood chips with rock or dirt.
“You have to think like an ember,” she said.
Sargeant once watched a video where an ember from a wildland fire was carried across a ravine, quickly igniting “house after house after house after house,” she said. “They all lit up under the decks where there was dried brush, weeds, pine needles, all sorts of stuff.”
Sargeant suggests walking around the house to see what’s in a 30-foot radius of the home. Move firewood piles 30 to 100 feet away.
“People don’t want to walk forever to get to it, but during the summer you can move it,” she said.
Livestock grazing helps keep fuels low, and mowing and watering grass within the 30-foot radius so it isn’t combustible is helpful.
“You need to be in fuel reduction mode,” Sargeant said.
FireSafe Montana provides the following checklist for creating a defensible space around the home:
— Trees and shrubs are properly thinned and pruned within the defensible space. Slash from the thinning is disposed of.
— Roof and gutters are clear of debris, including pine needles.
— Branches overhanging the roof and chimney are removed.
— Chimney screens are in place and in good condition.
— Grass and weeds are mowed to a low height.
— An outdoor water supply is available, complete with a hose and nozzle that can reach all parts of the house.
— Fire extinguishers are checked and in working condition.
— The driveway is wide enough. The clearance of trees and branches is adequate for fire and emergency equipment. (Check with your local fire department.)
— Road signs and your name and house number are posted and easily visible.
— There is an easily accessible tool storage area with rakes, hoes, axes and shovels for use in case of fire.
— You have practiced family fire drills and your fire evacuation plan.
— Your escape routes, meeting points and other details are known and understood by all family members.
— Vents on the attic, roof, eaves and foundation are screened and in good condition.
— Stilt foundations and decks are enclosed, screened or walled up.
— Trash and debris accumulations are removed from the defensible space.
FireSafe Montana is a non-government entity offering statewide coordination of efforts supporting firesafe programs and firewise activities. Additional information is available online at firesafeMT.org. Virtual workshops and online course are available through Firewise.org, including pro-active information about landscaping and construction decisions for rural homeowners.
Locally, Sargeant suggested calling the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation or the Polson Fire Department for answers to specific questions.
