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English > Historical Fires > 2001 Fire Season > Protecting Your Home
 Urban sprawl is one of the biggest problems America faces. As cities spread out, more homes are built in fire-prone forests. This is one of the main causes of the seemingly worse fire seasons-more and more homes are endangered by what used to be routine wildfires.
It is important that houses in the woods are "fireproofed". This reduces the risk of their destruction and helps firefighters protect them. Even after a home is built, the owner can take steps to protect it.
When Building A Home:
The most important aspect of having a wildfire safe home is building it in a safe location. Consider the following when deciding where to build:
- Slope of the terrain. Be sure to build on the most
level portion of the land. Fire spreads more rapidly on even the smallest
slopes.
- Build your (single-story) home at least 30 feet (9.1 meters)
away from any cliffs or ridges. Increase the distance if your home is
more than a single-story.
When building your house, keep in mind that the best way to reduce danger from wildfires is to reduce fuel on and around your home.
- Use fire-resistant or non-combustible materials (like metal siding or plastic ecking) whenever possible.
- Houses usually catch on fire from burning embers that are blown onto the roof. Roofs ideally should be made from metal, slate or clay tile, or Class-A asphalt shingles.
- Consider adding a fire-resistant sub-roof.
- Stucco, masonry, and metal siding are best on outside walls. Vinyl, which can soften and melt, should not be used.
- Both size and material must be considered for windows and skylights. Smaller windows hold up better than larger ones; double-pane glass is better then single; plastic skylights can melt.
- Windows and skylights should be covered with non-flammable shutters.
- Sparks can enter your home through vents. Cover exterior attic and underfloor vents with wire mesh no larger than 1/8 of an inch (5/16 cm). Vents should be closer to the roof line that the wall, and should be boxed in.
- To allow fire engines to get to your house quickly, make sure your driveway is at least 12 feet (3.7 meters) wide with 15 feet (4.6 meters) clearance, and no more than a 12% grade. Clearly mark your driveway, and make sure there is turnaround space.
- Clean out your gutters and eaves, and make sure your roof is clear of leaves.
- If you attach an all-wood fence to your house, use masonry or metal as a protective barrier between the fence and your house.
- Make sure an elevated wooden deck in not located at the top of a hill where it will be in the path of a wildfire.
After your home is built, landscaping the surrounding area correctly will
greatly reduce danger from wildfires. When landscaping you should consider the
following:
- Fire history of the area
- Location and terrain
- Prevailing winds and seasonal weather
- Property contours and boundaries
- Native vegetation
- Plant characteristics and placement (like water retention and size)
- Irrigation requirements
You should divide the area around your home into four zones, where Zone 1 is closest to your house and Zone 4 is farthest away.
Zone 1 This area should encircle your house for at least 30 feet (9.1 meters). It should be well irrigated, and provide space for fire trucks. You should have a well-cut green lawn covering this area. No vegetation besides short grass should be in this zone except for well-spaced fire resistant plants.
Zone 2 The irrigation system should extend into this zone, and low-growing fire-resistant plants should be planted here.
Zone 3 Low-growing plants and well-spaced trees should be placed in this zone. Keep in mind that the fuel level should be low.
Zone 4 This is the zone farthest away from your house, and should be kept in its natural state. Thin selectively, and remove highly flammable fuel.
Also remember to:
- Leave a minimum of 30 feet (9.1 meters) around the house to allow fire trucks easy access.
- Do not plant trees too close together (account for their expected growth, and plant them so that, when they are full-grown, most of the branches do not touch other trees).
- Remove ladder fuels (vegetation that serves as a ladder between grass and treetops).
- Add fuel breaks like driveways, cement or gravel walkways, and green lawns.
It is imperative to maintain the area around your house even after you
follow these landscaping guidelines, or it could become more of a fire hazard
than protection. Make sure you:
- Prune trees and shrubs. Remove all tree branches up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) from the ground.
- Remove dead leaves
- Cut dead branches
- Mow your lawn regularly
- Store firewood away from your house
- Maintain your irrigation system
- Don't store flammable liquids
Nothing can completely fireproof your house, but if you use these tips when building and maintaining your house, the danger of it getting destroyed by a wildfire will be greatly reduced.
© ThinkQuest Team C0119184 :: Credits & Sources
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