PREPARE in a YEAR

June: PREPARE FOR WILDFIRE

Enter to win a 3M respirator mask with P100 filters

Once you have completed this month’s task, fill out the form below and hit “Submit” by 4pm July 10th. The winner’s name will be drawn at the July 15th Champions’ meeting. You don’t need to be at the meeting, and you don’t even need to be a Champion to win.

This respirator helps provide protection in a variety of applications, filtering many types of particles.

Right NOW, before everything gets too hot and dry, is the perfect time to prepare your home for the coming fire season. This one is going to be intense as we know that we will be experiencing a Super El Nino—perhaps the most intense ever. Whidbey is not immune to fire, and despite winter rains, our forests are drying out. And July 4th is coming up with fireworks that will increase the danger.

In this Prepare in a Year segment, we suggest these measures to reduce the risk of a wildfire taking your home from you. The list runs from the easiest maintenance steps to more expensive “hardening” measures that you might consider.

Basic preparation

Clean debris out of gutters and off roofs.
Rake flammable debris (pine needles, dry leaves, bark mulch, etc.) away from foundations, leaving at least 5 feet clear. Consider a nonflammable zone of gravel or pavers around the base of the house.
Remove all firewood stacked near the house and store at least 30 feet away.
Clean all flammable debris and items out from under decks.
Trim all vegetation at least 5 feet away from the house.
Take out all conifers, holly and bamboo within 30 feet of the house, as these catch fire easily and burn hot and fast, and produce more embers.
Keep only fire-resistant vegetation between 5 and 30 feet from the house, and keep it watered and properly pruned.
Install “ember screen”—metal 1/8” to 1/16” screening—in all house vents, including foundation vents, bird blocks, gable vents, roof vents, and such, plus at the leading edge of decks that are close to the ground. You and your neighbors might consider getting a roll from the hardware store and sharing it!
Keep lawns near the house mowed short in the summer.
Maintain a 10-foot radius around propane tanks clear of debris, grass and anything combustible. Remove tree branches hanging over your propane tank.
Clear brush, broken branches, low branches or anything that can catch fire and cause it to run up into tree tops. These “ladder fuels” should be kept at least 30 feet from your house.
Move flammable items off decks and away from the house, like outdoor furniture and toys, particularly in the event of a fire warning. Store small propane tanks, such as those used for a barbecue, at least 30’ away from the house when conditions are hot and dry.

Further measures to think about

When you need to replace a roof, deck, or siding, strongly consider using materials that are “Class A” rated for fires, like metal roofs, cement board siding (such as HardiePlank) and deck materials that won’t burn.