With fire season approaching residents are encouraged to prepare their defensible space around their home. By creating a defensible space not only are the homes more likely to withstand a wildfire event, it also provides firefighters a safer area to attack an approaching fire front. Here are some simple suggestions to aid in creating a defensible space around your home:
Structures
- Remove accumulated leaves, pine needles and debris from all rooftops and gutters.
- Cut back branches overhanging the rooftop and within 10 feet of the chimney.
- Prune vegetation coming in contact with the windows and siding.
- Screen vent openings with 1/8 inch metal screening to prevent embers from entering.
- Remove combustible material out from under decks.
Fire-Resistant Building Materials
Primary Fuel Break (30-50 feet from the structure)
- Keep grass irrigated and mowed around the structure, think "lean and green".
- Firewood and lumber should be stored in an enclosed shed or moved a minimum of 30 feet from all structures. It is also a good idea to keep all wood piles tarped during the summer months to prevent flying embers from coming in contact with the wood.
- Remove flammable vegetation and replace with fire-resistant plants.
Secondary Fuel Break
- Thin areas of continuous vegetation, i.e. blackberry thickets, manzanita brush etc.
- Remove dead material and ladder fuels (anything that can carry fire from the surface to the crowns of the trees, i.e. brush coming in contact with low hanging tree branches.)
Driveways
- Make sure addresses are posted and visible roadside and at each intersection on the driveway.
- For driveways longer than 150 feet make sure there are adequate turn outs for fire apparatus.
- Driveways should have a minimum of 13 1/2 feet vertical and 12 feet horizontal clearance to allow for apparatus clearance.
- Have a fuel break 10 feet from the center of the driveway on both sides for a total of 20 feet clearance.
- Keep the road surface free of flammable vegetation.
- Make sure that all water crossings are well maintained.
2010-2011
Wildfire Public Opinion Survey Results
Jackson County Wildfire Public Opinion Survey Report 2010-2011
Josephine County Wildfire Public Opinion Survey Report 2011