Severe Weather and Wildfire

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Severe Weather and Wildfire

• Severe weather such as drought and high winds
  increase fire risk.
• New homes are being built in areas where there
  were trees and wildland before.
• The risk of high intensity wildfire is increasing
  all over the nation.

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Fire Behavior

• Fire needs fuel and oxygen.
• Homes and other structures are fuel and wind
  provides endless oxygen.
• As slope increases so does fire intensity.

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Fire Suppression Efforts

• Wildfires overwhelm local fire suppression
  capabilities.
• Fire suppression decisions are usually attacking
  the fire or defending structures.
• Those structures that are easy to defend have a
  better chance of survival.

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Firewise Construction

• Laguna Beach, CA firestorm Hundreds of homes
  were destroyed.
• There were homes that did survive the fire
  because they were built with the fire risk in
  mind.
• The term Firewise construction has been coined
  to describe homes that have a better chance to
  survive wildfires.

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Building Firewise

• 1. When building new homes, choose a firewise
  location.
• 2. Build structures with fire risk in mind.
• 3. Create firewise landscape and maintain it.

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1. Firewise Location

• Build homes on the most level portion of
  property.
• Keep homes at least 30 feet back from ridges.
• Insure that driveways and roads are wide enough
  to handle fire equipment.

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2. Firewise Construction

• Roofing Material should be non-combustible or
  fire resistant materials (asphalt, metal or
  terra-cotta tile shingles).
• Use exterior wall cladding such as masonry or
  stucco.
• Use double pane or tempered glass for windows.
• Cover exterior attic vents with 1/8 inch wire
  mesh.
• Minimize rafter spaces under roof.

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2. Firewise Construction

• Additional Structures
• Decks, fences, porches and outbuildings attached
  to residences are paths fire uses to gain entry.
• Use less flammable materials when constructing
  these items.
• Try to avoid attaching these items to homes with
  flammable material.

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3. Firewise Landscaping

• The yard is where a home can make its best stand
  against wildfire.
• Remove dead and dense vegetation from an area at
  least 30 feet from residence.
• When planting near residence, choose plants with
  high moisture content.

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3. Firewise Landscaping

• Trees and shrubs can be planted if well spaced,
  watered and pruned.
• Keep gutters, eaves and roof clear of leaves and
  other debris.
• Do not allow leaves to collect and screen in
  areas under porches and decks.

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Firewise is successful mitigation because it
incorporates

• Fire Behavior
• Fire Suppression Efforts
• Building Location
• Construction Materials
• Landscaping

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Are You FireWise?

• Thanks
• Larimer County
• Colorado State Forest Service
• National Fire Prevention Education Team

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Firewise

• Additional information
• http//www.firewise.org or
• http//www.co.larimer.co.us/wildfire
• Download the Homeowners Kit