Protecting Your Prescott Home From Wildfires
June 11th, 2008 categories: Home Sellers, Prescott Homeowners
With summer lightning storms and high temperatures quickly approaching, it’s important to be sure your home has adequate defensible space in case of a wildfire.
Countless wildfires and forest fires happen every year in the United States, with peak season running from April through October. Annually, wildfires claim hundreds of thousands of acres, resulting in the evacuation of millions of people. Thousands of homes go up in flames, causing damage estimated in the billions.
Wildfire will find the weakest link in the defence measures you have taken on your property. The primary determinants of a home’s ability to survive a wildfire are its roofing materials and the quality of the defensible space around it. Every small step you take will make a difference and determine whether or not your home will survive a wild fire.
Here are some steps to take to create defensible space around your home:
1. Remove excess vegetation, thin trees and shrubs within the defensible space.
2. Be sure your roof and gutters are clean from leaves and pine needles.
3. Trim branches that hang over the roof. Be sure all branches are clear of the chimney.
4. Chimney screen must be in good condition.
5. Grass and weeds must me kept mowed to a low height.
6. Attach garden hoses to all of your outdoor hose bids.
7. Wood should be piled away from the house, out of the defensible space.
8. Remove all leaves, grass and debris from underneath trees to prevent the fire from spreading to the tops of trees.
9. Replace large shrubs with smaller shrubbery or succulents.
10. If your roof is not made of fire retardant materials, consider replacing it with one that is.
For more information on creating defensible space, click here: defensible space
We have been very fortunate in Prescott in regards to wildfires. The last wildfire Prescott experienced was the “Indian Fire” which started on May 15, 2002. It was the most significant fire in Prescott over 100 years. 5 homes were destroyed along with 1365 acres of vegetation. Due to the USFS fuel reduction, quick coordinated initial attack by the USFS, Prescott Fire Department, Central Yavapai Fire District, and the cooperation of the Prescott Police Department, Yavapai County Sheriff’s office and Yavapai Division of Emergency Management and numerous volunteers the fire was contained in five days. Let’s be fire wise and keep our community safe.
