More
and more people are making their homes in woodland settings - in or near
forests, rural areas or remote mountain sites.
There,
homeowners enjoy the beauty of the environment but face the very real
danger of wild fire.
Wildfires
often begin unnoticed. They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees and
homes. Reduce your risk by preparing now - before wildfire strikes.
Meet with your family to decide what to do and where to go if wildfires
threaten your area. Follow the steps listed on this page to protect your
family, home and property.
CONTENTS:
Practice
Wildfire Safety
Protect
Your Home
Before
Wildfire Threatens
When
Wildfire Threatens
Emergency
Supplies
Create
a Family Disaster Plan
Practice
Wildfire Safety
People
start most wildfires ... find out how you can promote and practice
wildfire safety.
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Contact
your local fire department, health department or forestry office for
information on fire laws. Make sure that fire vehicles can get to your
home. Clearly mark all driveway entrances and display your name and
address
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Report
hazardous conditions that could cause a wildfire.
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Teach
children about fire safety. Keep matches out of their reach.
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Post
fire emergency telephone numbers.
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Plan
several escape routes away from your home - by car and by foot.
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Talk
to your neighbors about wildfire safety. Plan how the neighborhood
could work together after a wildfire. Make a list of your neighbors'
skills such as medical or technical. Consider how you could help
neighbors who have special needs such as elderly or disabled persons.
Make plans to take care of children who may be on their own if parents
can't get home.
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Protect
Your Home
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Regularly
clean roof and gutters.
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Inspect
chimneys at least twice a year. Clean them at least once a year. Keep
the dampers in good working order. Equip chimneys and stove pipes with
a spark arrester that meets the requirements of National Fire
Protection Association Code 211. (Contact your local fire department
for exact specifications.)
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Use
1/2-ince mesh screen beneath porches, floor areas and the home itself.
Also, screen openings to floors, roof and attic.
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Install
a smoke detector on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms;
test monthly and change the batteries two times each year.
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Teach
each family member how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type) and
show them where it's kept.
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Keep
a ladder that will reach the roof.
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Consider
installing protective shutters or heavy fire-resistant drapes.
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Keep
handy household items that can be used as fire tools: a rake, axe,
handsaw or chainsaw, bucked and shovel.
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Before
Wildfire Threatens
Design
and landscape your home with wildfire safety in mind. Select materials and
plants that can help contain fire rather than fuel it. Use fire resistant
or non combustible materials on the roof and exterior structure of the
dwelling. Or treat wood or combustible material used in roofs, siding,
decking or trim with UL-approved fire-retardant chemicals. Plant
fire-resistant shrubs and trees. For example, hardwood trees are less flammable
than pine, evergreen, eucalyptus or fir trees.
Create
a 30 to 50 foot safety zone
around your home
Within
this area, you can take steps to reduce potential exposure to flames and
radiant heat. Homes built in pine forests should have a minimum safety
zone of 100 feet. If your home sits on a steep slope, standard protective
measures may not suffice. Contact your local fire department or forestry
office for additional information.
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Rake
leaves, dead limbs and twigs. Clear all flammable vegetation.
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Remove
leaves and rubbish from under structures.
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Thin
a 15-foot space between tree crowns, and remove limbs within 15 feet
of the ground.
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Remove
dead branches that extend over the roof.
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Prune
tree branches and shrubs within 15 feet of the ground.
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Ask
the power company to clear branches from power lines.
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Remove
vines from the walls of the home.
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Mow
grass regularly.
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Clear
a 10-foot area around propane tanks and the barbecue. Place a screen
over the grill - use non-flammable material with mesh no coarser than
one-quarter inch.
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Regularly
dispose of newspapers and rubbish at an approved site. Follow local
burning regulations.
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Place
stove, fireplace and grill ashes in a metal bucket, soak in water for
two days, then bury the cold ashes in mineral soil.
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Store
gasoline, oily rags and other flammable materials in approved safety
cans. Place cans in a safe location away from the base of buildings.
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Stack
firewood at least 100 feet away and uphill from your home. Clear
combustible material within 20 feet. Use only UL-approved wood-burning
devices.
Plan
your water Needs
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Identify
and maintain an adequate outside water source such as a small pond,
cistern, well swimming pool or hydrant.
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Have
a garden hose that is long enough to reach any area of the home and
other structures on the property.
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Install
freeze-proof exterior water outlets on at least two sides of the home
and near other structures on the property. Install additional outlets
at least 50 feet from the home.
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Consider
obtaining a portable gasoline powered pump in case electrical power is
cut off.
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When
Wildfire Threatens
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If
you are warned that a wildfire is threatening your area, listen to
your battery-operated radio for reports and evacuation information. Follow
the instructions of local officials.
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Back
your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the
direction of escape. Shut doors and roll up windows. Leave the key in
the ignition. Close garage windows and doors, but leave them unlocked.
Disconnect automatic garage door openers.
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Confine
pets to one room. Make plans to care for your pets in case you must
evacuate.
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Arrange
temporary housing at a friend or relative's home outside the
threatened area.
If
advised to evacuate, do so immediately
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Wear
protective clothing-sturdy shoes, cotton or woolen clothing, long
pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves and handkerchief to protect your
face.
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Take
your Disaster Supplies Kit.
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Lock
your home.
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Tell
someone when you left and where you are going.
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Choose
a route away from fire hazards. Watch for changes in the speed and
direction of fire and smoke.
If
you're sure you have time,
Take steps to protect your home:
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Close
windows, vents, doors, Venetian blinds or non-combustible window
coverings and heavy drapes. Remove lightweight curtains.
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Shut
off gas at the meter. Turn off pilot lights.
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Open
fireplace damper. Close fireplace screens.
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Move
flammable furniture into the center of the home away from windows and
sliding-glass doors.
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Turn
on a light in each room to increase the visibility of your home in
heavy smoke.
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Seal
attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals.
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Turn
off propane tanks.
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Place
combustible patio furniture inside.
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Connect
the garden hose to outside taps.
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Set
up the portable gasoline-powered pump.
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Place
lawn sprinklers on the roof and near above-ground fuel tanks. Wet the
roof.
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Wet
or remove shrubs within 15 feet of the home.
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Gather
fire tools.
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EMERGENCY
SUPPLIES
When
wildfire threatens, you won't have time to shop or search for supplies.
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit with items you may need if advised to
evacuate. Store these supplies in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container such
as backpacks, duffle bags or trash containers.
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A
three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food
that won't spoil.
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One
change of clothing and footwear per person and one blanket or sleeping
bag per person.
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A
first aid kit that includes your family's prescription medications.
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Emergency
tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of
extra batteries.
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An
extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash or traveler's checks.
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Sanitation
supplies.
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Special
items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
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An
extra pair of eyeglasses.
Keep
important family documents in a waterproof container. Assemble a smaller version of
your kit to keep in the trunk of your car.
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Create
a Family Disaster Plan
Wildfire
and other types of disasters - hurricane, flood, tornado, earthquake,
hazardous materials spill, winter storm - can strike quickly and without
warning. You can cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working
together. Meet with your family to create a disaster plan. To get
started...
Contact
your local emergency management or civil defense office or your local
American Red Cross
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Find
out about the hazards in your community.
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Ask
how you would be warned.
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Find
out how to prepare for each type of disaster.
Meet
with your family
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Discuss
the types of disasters that could occur.
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Explain
how to prepare and respond to each type of disaster.
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Discuss
where to go and what to bring if advised to evacuate.
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Practice
what you have discussed.
Plan
how your family will stay in contact if separated by disaster
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Pick
two meeting places: 1) A place a safe distance from your home in case
of a home fire. 2) A place outside your neighborhood in case you can't
return home.
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Choose
an out-of-state friend as a "check-in contact" for everyone
to call.
Complete
these steps:
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Post
emergency telephone numbers by every phone.
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Show
responsible family members how and when to shut off water, gas and
electricity at main switches.
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Contact
your local fire department to learn about home fire hazards.
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Learn
first aid and CPR. Contact your local American Red Cross chapter for
information and training.
Practice
and review these steps!
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