Check your property

News reports of the devastating wild fires burning in California underscore the necessity of taking the proper steps to protect your homes and properties. Governmental regulations in our neighboring state may have played a part in creating the conditions that allowed for such a rapid development of these fires, but individual homeowners have a variety of options that would help slow down fire progression both on their property and in the town in general. As community members, we have an obligation to help spare our town the devastation of an uncontrolled wild fire burning through the community. Your house is more likely to withstand a wild fire if you create a survivable space around it using zones. It’s simple and it can save your home when a wild fire strikes.

So I ask you to take a look at your property. Is there a space between the vegetation and your home? Do you store flammable materials like firewood, construction materials, or other easily ignitable items on the property? Are the trees trimmed to prevent the ‘ladder effect’ of grass fires commuting into the trees? Are the small grasses and shrubs thinned and trimmed to slow a fire down? Overgrown vegetation can easily threaten structures.

Below are some steps you can take as a homeowner to mitigate the effects of a wild fire:

Zone 1 (The first 30 feet from structures)

-Clean gutters and other roof areas on a regular basis, removing all debris which is flammable.

-Do not stack firewood or store other combustibles in this zone.

-Clear grasses, tree limbs, brush and other man-made fuels that can “ladder” a fire up a structure.

-Prune all trees at least 10 feet from chimneys. Remove any growth near an overhanging roof. Prune all trees 6 to 10 feet from the ground.

Zone 2 (30 to 100 feet from structures)

-Thin trees and shrubs at least 10 feet between crowns, more if on a slope.

-Isolated or small groupings of trees or shrubs are best to create screening and privacy.

-Prune under large trees to a height of 10 feet.

-Keep grasses and wildflowers under eight inches high, especially when dry or dormant.

Zone 3 (100’+ away)

-Prune trees along trails and access roads.

-Trees that pose a threat to powerlines should be trimmed.

-Specific thinning requirements depend on species. Thinning and pruning, especially ladder fuels will keep a fire on the ground.

In addition to paying attention to the property itself, there a few things you can do to help your family and yourself in the event of a large/fast moving wildfire:

-Know at least two ways of escape from your home. Make sure your family members know these routes.

-Have a ‘Go Bag’. This is a collection of items ready to go if you have to leave in a moment’s notice. Items should include a three day supply of water, food (non-perishable), flashlight, first aid kit, whistle, prescription medications, formula, diapers, copies of important documents, etc.

Again, we all have a responsibility to mitigate the effects of wildfires in our communties. Rural Metro Fire Department will come to your home and do a pre-wild fire assessment to help assist creating a plan for mitigation. Call 480-606-3342 to schedule an appointment.

John Kraetz
Fire Chief
Carefree/Cave Creek Rural Metro Fire Department