Wildfires are an occasional hazard of the job and common natural disaster to landowners. Without the right protection, wildfires may be the deadliest part of owning property. Last summer, more than a million acres of 43 lives and property were lost to the devastating wildfires in California. While individuals are figuring out how to prevent disasters, there are steps you can take today to defend yourself and shield your property from a wildfire.
Take off the Tinder
No, not the dating site. Throughout the wildfire season, be sure to on a regular basis sweep away materials like leaves and pine needles around your land.
Produce ‘Fuel Breaks’ On Your Premises
Fuel breaks, like pathways or driveways, can act as a barrier to keep the fire away from your premises. A simple way to add a fuel break is by substituting wood chips or dried grass in pathways and instead use gravel or another fire-resistant material.
Decorate With Safety in Mind
Use fireproof or fire-resistant materials whenever you can. Following is a short list of some fireproof and fire-resistant materials to consider:
Stone Concrete Treated limber plywood Mineral wool Potassium Silicate These materials may not be as tasteful as real wood, but they’ll help keep you safer in the face of risk.
Controlled Fires
Fire doesn’t even have to be your own enemy. Controlled fires are often used by forest management to get rid to give budding plants room and nourishment. Controlled fires are used on properties with pine trees, as pine trees are resistant to fire.
By using controlled fires to burn away the debris, there’ll be less fuel for any wildfires to feed on. This will reduce the damage to your property.
Trim Your Trees
Dead or low-hanging branches are the most venerable to wildfires. Make sure to always cut these branches the trees near your home or farm. Then make sure to remove what you cut from the property.
Put Yourself First
If you’re outside, the wind is your best buddy. Look where the wind is blowing. In case the wind is currently blowing the fire away from you, run into the wind. In case the wind is currently blowing the fire towards you, run perpendicular to the wind. Get to a location that’s already burnt over.
The gas has already been burnt so the chances the fire will return are slim to none. When escaping the fire, take down-hill paths whenever possible. Due to updrafts, fire moves faster uphill. We hope these guidelines can assist keep you or your property safe from future wildfires. When going about your day-to-day daily life, remember that wildfires can be started from the simplest things, like leaving a campfire burning on a dry day or leaving a lit cigarette by old trees. Make Smokey the Bear proud!