You may remember back in April when we discussed Wildland Urban Interface month, there was the mention of concentric safety zones around your home regarding creating a defensible space. The end goal here is to cover each Home Ignition Zone, which may include tips and tricks you have or have not seen previously.
The first Home Ignition Zone is Zone 1 (or
Immediate Zone), which is 0-5 feet around your home or to the property line.
This zone includes the building itself, any deck/patio/balcony, or another outside
entertaining space that touches your home, fencing (particularly where it meets
the building), and immediate landscaping.
An easy way to create defensible space in zone 1 is to remove weeds, brush, and
other vegetation and debris. An option to consider while you’re doing
your spring gardening is to use non-combustible rock mulch in place of standard
mulch. Trim grass to 4 inches or less in height and try to maintain that
through the summer. Trim back tree branches to at least 10 feet from your home
if they are touching or overhang the building. Firewood and other
combustibles should be stored farther from the structure.
Vents
and eaves are another place to keep an eye on as they can provide places for
embers to gather and ignite in any combustible materials that are stuck there.
An option to consider is to enclose the eaves, if that’s not something you want
to do, make sure you clean out the eaves. Put a noncombustible screen across
any vents, and make sure to keep the mesh clear of any debris. Roofs and gutters are particularly vulnerable
surfaces, as embers can lodge here and start a fire. Regularly cleaning your
roof and gutters of debris, installing gutter guards or screens, and blocking
off any points of entry on your roof will all help harden your home.
When it comes to decks and patios clean between the boards,
underneath, and areas against the building. Consider constructing lattice or screening under porches and decks to keep leaves from collecting underneath. Something to consider is to keep
planters, baskets, and other arrangements off the area during the fire season. You
should also avoid storing combustible materials on the patio or deck.
To watch a video that shows the differences taking the time
to create a defensible space in home ignition zone 1 can make, click here.
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