This month, as wildfires charred over 2000 acres in Southern California and people were evacuated from their homes, we are reminded of the dangers that wildfires pose to many parts of the country. Even though many people think of wildfires as occurring typically in the southwest, or southern Florida, the reality is that a wildfire could occur in any state in the U.S. An average of 140,000 wildfires destroy more than 14 million acres each year.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has developed a home safety checklist to help you reduce the risk of damage to your home and property in case of a fire emergency.
- Always be ready for an emergency evacuation. Sometimes this may be your only protection in a wildfire, so plan an escape route in advance.
- Find out your fire risk. Learn about the history of wildfires in your area, and be aware of weather or other environmental conditions that could increase the risk of a wildfire.
- Thin out vegetation around your home. All vegetation can fuel a wildfire, but some plants and trees are more of a fire risk than others. The greater the distance between your home and vegetation the better protected you are.
- Remove debris from a deck or patio with exposed space underneath.
- Use fire-resistant siding materials like brick, cement or rock. Treat wood siding with flame retardant chemicals.
- Keep chimneys and stovepipes clean and clear, and cover vents with wire mesh. This will help to keep flaming wildfire debris from entering your home.
Check out the FEMA homeowners checklist for more tips and information for how you can help to protect your home from wildfire damage, and to develop an escape plan in case of emergency.
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