Photo Courtesy of Tim Leighton
Will your home survive a wildfire this fire season?
If you live in Northern Nevada chances are you have gotten use to the dry, hot, windy summers. Each year from July through September, the low humidly, high winds and dry heat keep our firefighters alert and ready for action should a wildfire start. All it takes is one little spark from a cigarette, an ember from a campfire or a lightning strike to hit ground for a fire to take off and make its way to your neighborhood.
Being married to a third generation firefighter, I have heard many tragic stories about familes who lost their home to a fire that could have been prevented had a few preventive steps been taken to help their home survive.
Did you know that research findings indicate that home survival during a wildfire is not miraculous, amazing or lucky? Survival has more to do with the way a home was built, how much vegetation is growing around and near the home and how much preparation is done to the home prior to the start of the fire season.
The following simple steps and tips could help you reduce the risk of your home burning to the ground during a wildfire this season.
1) Junk the Junipers ~ Juniper shrubs are some of the most commonly found plants in Northern Nevada. They are hardy, drought-tolerant and evergreen yet they are also considered fire hazards. Firefighters refer to them as "gasoline plants" because they ignite so easily.
Firefighters recommend you remove all junipers from around the house. Replace them with low growing deciduous shrubs, flowers or even rocks, pavers or gravel.
2) Remove Ladder Fuels~ Vegetation that can carry a fire burning in low-growing plants to taller plants are called "ladder fuels." By removing ladder fuels, fire can be kept from reaching tree tops thus preventing a more intense fire.
Firefighters recommend you only plant low growing, well maintained, irrigated plants around the home.
3) Clean your rain gutters and roof~ Always keep your rain gutters and roof clean and free of pine needles, leaves and other debris that accumulates in these areas.
You should check these areas each spring before fire season and periodically throughout the summer and fall.
4) Remove any wood stacks near your home~ If you store wood that is used for your fireplace during the winter year you home, move it as soon as possible. Firewood piles should be located at least 30 feet from the house. The dry wood could easily ignite and burn the side of your home with in seconds.
5) Create a defensible space~ Defensible space is the area between a house and an oncoming wildfire where the vegetation has been managed to reduce the threat and allow firefighters to safely defend the house.
To create an effective defensible space, thin those dry, dense shrubs and trees within 300 feet or more of your home. Be sure to remove dead plant material from your property and keep a well maintained landscape surrounding the house for at least 30 feet.
6) Maintain you deck ~ Decks should be free of easily ignited materials. Pine needles, leaves and debris should be cleared out from under the deck. Do not store flammable materials under or on your deck.
Firefighters say following these few simple tips can help save your home should a wildfire occur near your home. For more information on how you can reduce the wildfire threat to your home, go to www.lvingwithfire.org or visit a fire station in your neighborhood.
Authored by Terrie Leighton, July 2009. Terrie is a real estate specialist in Northern Nevada. To contact her call 775-846-5424 or see www.servingrenoandsparks.com for information on homes listed for sale in Northern Nevada.
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REALTOR®
Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE)
Certified Default Resolution Specialist (CDRS)
Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource ~ Certified (SFR)
Ferrari-Lund Real Estate
775.846.5424
Such great advice Terrie.
I know your area quite well and the biggest fear are the wildfires.
Hopefully you've saved some lives with this post.
Thank you Craig! Hopefully not lives will be threatened this year with wildfire! But I do hope a few homes get a little help from this information!
Excellent post on how to protect your home from a wildfire, Terrie. Good job getting this information out to your readers.
Terrie, when I see and hear on media these horrible events my heart bleeds for the families, Have a great and successful weekend.
Wow - amazing photograph - luckily we don't have the same problems in the Midwest... flooding is our main problem in low lying areas. Nice PSA/localism post...
Hi Terrie, That is an awesome and frightening photo! This is all very good advice for anyone living in a wildfire area. Great job in getting the word out, I hope you will all be safe this summer.
Thank you Mike!
Hi Lynn~ I know, it is always sad when someone looses their home to a fire! Thank you for you comment and have a great weekend as well.
Hello Ryan ~ My brother-in-law has many photos that he has taken of wildfires just like this one! You can only imaging how hot it must get up close to a fire!!
Thank you Mary! I hope you are having an amazing summer as well. Take care.
Simple home maintenance can also help, such as keeping it well painted so that wind-driven embers don't get into wood cracks, etc.
Terrie: We have a big fire season here also, (in Riverside County). This year was not so bad but it did begin early!
Russel~ There is a lot of home maintenance that can help save your home as well! Replacing the roof, windows are just a couple that can be replaced to help save your home from burning to the ground during a wildfire. Replacing your roof and windows can be costly but worth it if it means saving the home.
Jane ~ So far this fire season has been quiet here as well! Let's hope it stays that way.
Hi Terrie -- Wow, what a visual. Living in the mid-west near a major metro area, I've never experienced a wildfire but this photo makes one realize how small one is and to take heed. Wow.