Wildfire Safety Quiz:
Agree or Disagree with each of the following statements:
- I've checked within the last month and my roof and gutters are clear of leaves, needles and other debris.
- I have fire fighting tools easily available outside my home.
- I have only pruned trees and managed undergrowth within 10 metres of my home.
- Our property is on level ground.
- I always have a hose hooked up in the same place and it is able to reach the roof and all exterior walls.
- All the fire phone numbers are posted inside our house and we have an escape plan.
If you disagreed with ANY of the statements above, you may be at needless risk.
If you disagreed with THREE OR MORE, please contact your local fire centre.
Landscaping
There are two primary principles in designing landscapes to protect against fire: fuel reduction and interruption of a fire's path. You'll find that it doesn't cost a lot to create a beautifully landscaped property that is FireSmart, helps conserve water use, and even increases property values. Remember that fire does not respect property lines-so entire communities are encouraged to be FireSmart. One person's best effort at FireSmart landscaping may be at the mercy of a neighbour's complacency.
Homeowners should take active steps to minimize or reduce the fuel and fire-hazard around their homes, including planting fire resistant plants. If your home is located in or adjacent to forests or rangeland, you should consider the flammability of plants within your home landscape. Flammable plant material in your landscape can increase the fire-risk around your home.
Good placement of fire resistant trees can help protect your home by blocking intense heat. A wide array of fire resistant plants can help reduce the hazard on your property. Fire resistant plants don't readily ignite from a flame or other ignition sources. Although fire-resistant plants can be damaged or even killed by fire, their foliage and stems don't contribute significantly to the fuel and, therefore, the fire's intensity.
Most deciduous trees and shrubs are fire-resistant. Look for plants with moist and supple leaves; water-like and mild-smelling saps; and that don't accumulate dead wood or dry material within the plant. However, it's important to remember that even fire-resistant plants can burn, particularly if they are not maintained in a healthy condition.
Both ornamental and native plants can be highly flammable. For example, ornamental juniper is highly flammable. Examples of highly flammable native shrubs include bitterbrush, manzanita, sagebrush, and ceanothus. Avoid planting these plants around your home.
For information regarding nurseries in your area and to enquire about availability of fire resistant plant, shrub and tree species visit www.gardenwise.bc.ca.
Yard Maintenance
Any plant can burn after severe or prolonged drought conditions. Most plants accumulate excess woody material and all shed some seasonal foliage. Branches spread, often touching other vegetation. Weeds grow between landscape plants. You can reduce accumulations of potential fuel by regular pruning, mowing and raking, followed by proper disposal. The less accumulated plant debris, the slower a fire will spread. Reducing the amount of fuel limits a fire's intensity.
Watering
Healthy plants will be harder to ignite. Drip irrigation systems are effective and conserve water because they target where the water goes and how much gets there. Use sprinklers for lawns and ensure your lawn is getting the right amount of water to keep it green, healthy and fire resistant.
Many fires occur in spring and early summer when human activity increases. Grass burning and spring cleanup fires occasionally escape control and result in wildfires. When summer arrives, the number of people in the woods increases and as they travel, recreationalists can accidentally cause fires.
The number of escaped fires resulting from backyard burning can be reduced by adhering to safe burning practices. People doing backyard burning must have hand tools, water and enough people on hand to keep the fire in check. Fires must not be lit or allowed to continue to burn when the wind is strong enough to cause sparks to be carried to other combustible material or when a notice banning or restricting the use of open fire is in effect.
Grass fires are a major concern for fire fighters. Grass fires that get out of control can cause serious damage. People must remember to place a firebreak around the perimetre of the fire area. Fires can escape easily if a wind picks up. Fires that get away can quickly engulf fences, power poles and buildings and can also spread to neighbouring property or forested areas.
Careless use of campfires is one of the leading causes of forest fires. When building a campfire, select your campsite carefully. Prepare your campfire by removing all leaves, twigs and other flammable material from the area. Choose a proper fire pit or make a ring of rocks at least three metres from trees, shrubs, structures and debris. Don't leave a campfire unattended, and do keep a pail of water close by at all times. Be certain your campfire is completely extinguished before you go to bed or leave the area. Pour water on the fire and douse the site thoroughly. Stir the campfire until there are no embers and the ashes are cold to the touch.
Another cause of wildfires does not arise from accidents or carelessness, but from arson. Every year, arsonists throughout the province start fires that result in a high financial loss, as well as risk to property, homes, wildlife, and people. Arson is a crime and any knowledge of this activity should be reported.
A person may have permission to burn, but it could be the start of a forest fire. If a fire does get out of control, and the Forest Service is called in, the persons doing the burning may be responsible for fire fighting and other costs.
Other prevention considerations:
- Do not burn in windy conditions.
- Do not discard smoking materials from vehicles, use interior ashtrays.
- Lawn & farm equipment should have properly working spark arresters to prevent sparks from exiting through the exhaust pipes.
- All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) produce an enormous amount of heat and can ignite brush from their exhaust systems.
Wildfire prevention is about keeping fires from starting. When using fire in or near woods, be extremely careful. People are responsible for starting about half of the wildfires in British Columbia. Pay attention to your surroundings.
Report fire sightings or the smell of smoke to 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on cellular networks.
Monitoring
For more information, contact your local Fire Centre and ask to speak to the Fire Centre's Prevention Specialist.
More Information on Open Fires:
Top