How to Prevent Wildfires?

12/5/2022 (Permalink)

Preventing Wildfires

Wildfires are devastating, but they can be prevented by taking simple precautions. Wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility between homeowners, local governments, and the communities in which we live. Here's how you can prevent wildfires in your community:

Pay attention to the fire danger levels.

Know what your local fire danger level is. This will tell you whether or not burning is recommended or not. The different fire danger levels each have their own set of requirements in terms of burning. You can find your fire danger level by googling it with location services on. 

Establish a Defensible Space 

Defensible space is the area around your home that has been cleared of flammable materials. It should be at least 100 feet wide, but trees and vegetation can be removed to make it wider. Defensible space can also be created by removing dead trees and vegetation from around your home. You can create an even larger defensible space by clearing the ground within 200 feet of your home, provided you don't leave any standing dead trees or shrubs within this boundary.

Maintain Your Roof

You should also make sure your roof is in good condition and will resist fire. The roof is the first line of defense when it comes to preventing wildfires, so you want to make sure it's up to par. Check for missing or damaged shingles, loose nails and screws, dry rot, mold, or other signs of decay.

If you have an older home with a metal roof that's showing signs of rusting or corrosion, consider replacing it with new material. Metal roofs are not as fire-resistant as asphalt shingles because metal heats up faster than other materials do (especially at higher temperatures), making them more likely to catch on fire during a wildfire event.

Store Combustibles Appropriately

Store combustibles away from structures. If you have a shed or storage area for wood, paper, and other combustibles, keep them stored in the shed or storage area. Metal sheds are recommended because they are more fire-resistant than wooden structures. Additionally, keep your fuel source at least 30 feet away from any structure on your property to help prevent sparks from starting a fire near your home.

Use Your Grill Appropriately

To keep a fire from getting out of control, it's important that you:

• Use your grill on level ground. Never use a grill in an area that is uneven. You should also be sure to move the grill away from anything that could catch fire, such as overhanging branches or anything else that could be ignited by sparks.
• Never leave your grill unattended while cooking or not in use, even if it has been extinguished and cooled down completely.
• Always use water to extinguish a grill after you are done cooking; never use sand, baking soda, dirt, or any other non-water substance.

Never Leave a Campfire Unattended

If you're setting up a campfire, it's important to make sure that you have done everything possible to ensure that the fire is out before leaving. Do not use dirt to put out the fire--use water instead! Once the flames are extinguished, make sure that you soak the area with water so that no embers remain. If there are any lingering sparks or embers, they could reignite when exposed to oxygen and start another fire. Finally, never leave a fire unattended while camping!

Fires are a natural part of the landscape. However, there are many ways that you can prevent wildfires and protect your home from them. By following these steps, you will be able to reduce the risk of fires in your area as well as keep yourself safe if one ever does start nearby!

If the worse comes to worst and your Alamo Ranch, TX home or business is affected by a fire, call SERPVRO of Alamo Ranch. We will get you back to normal quickly!