WILDFIRE - CONTINUED

PROTECT YOUR HOME BY ZONES.


ZONE 1: Home Ignition Zone.
This is the area that includes your home and grounds immediately surrounding it, and is the most critical zone to maintain. Remove ember traps by screening all eave and other vents; cleaning out debris from under decks, and screen or enclose these areas. Move stacks of firewood away from the structure. Remove pine needles, leaves and other debris from rooftops and rain gutters. Trim weeds or other flammable vegetation, especially tree branches, back from touching or overhanging the structure.


ZONE 2: The Defensible Space Zone:
This circular area is a minimum of 30 feet from your house, and 100 feet or more on the downhill side if you live at the top of a slope. Remove dead and dying grass, shrubs and trees. Reduce the density of vegetation, by spacing plants apart, and remove "ladder" fuels that could carry fire from the ground into the treetops. Replace flammable vegetation with fire-resistant plants, green lawn, or other low-growing ground covers.


ZONE 3: Fuel Reduction Zone:
Remove undergrowth and thin out densely crowded smaller trees to reduce fire intensity. Experts recommend keeping a minimum of 10 feet of space between trees and shrubs. Trim low-hanging branches of mature trees up to six to ten feet off the ground.


Information also found in BRU Guide to Family Preparedness Handout.