Wildfire – Preparing Your Home

Union County Fire/Rescue & EMA

Press Release

Last week’s column provided some information on outdoor burning and reviewed the burning safety standards set by the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). We encourage everyone to utilize these safety standards when burning leaves and other hand piled yard debris to prevent wildfires. We also encourage everyone to learn more about how to prepare your family, home, and community for wildfires.

A good place to start is with Firewise USA®. This program has a great deal of information on how to become a Firewise Community, wildfire prevention, performance actions when there is a wildfire in your area, and most important how to prepare your home for wildfire.

Here are a few tips provided by NFPA and Firewise USA® that homeowners can use to protect their home. Homeowners should first evaluate their home for flammable materials or debris which may be on or near their home that could ignite due to flying embers. These wildfire embers are a major cause of home fires. Homeowners should create defensible space around the home by reducing fuels (leaves, bushes, and trees) in the “Home Ignition Zone”.

Homeowners can also reduce fire risk by performing yard maintenance and choosing non-flammable landscaping. To reduce ember ignitions and fire spread, trim branches that overhang the home, porch, and deck and prune branches of large trees up to 6 to 10 feet (depending on their height) from the ground. Remove plants containing resins, oils, and waxes. Use crushed stone or gravel instead of flammable mulches.

Roof materials and roof vents should be considered. Class A fire-rated roofing products, such as composite shingles, metal, concrete, and clay tiles, offer the best protection. Inspect shingles or roof tiles and replace or repair those that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration. Box in eaves but provide ventilation to prevent condensation and mildew. Roof and attic vents should be screened to prevent ember entry.

Home decks and porches should be evaluated for leaves, yard debris, or flammable materials that can ignite from flying embers. We have seen several home fires which have started this way. Remove dead vegetation and debris from under decks and porches and between deck board joints. Never store flammable materials underneath decks or porches.

Most of these practices can be found at Firewise USA®. For information on Firewise USA® or wildfire preparedness, contact your local U.S. Forest Service, Georgia Forestry Commission, or Union County Fire Department.