Create a Defensible Space

• Remove all dead plants, trees and shrubs. Keep your lawn well mowed and healthy and all plants pruned and well maintained.
• With much drier conditions, increase the recommended defensible space around your home from 30 to 50 feet or as recommended by your local fire department, especially if your area is prone to wildfires. Be sure to include at least 100-150 feet around your home in your fire management plan. Any flammable solvents, liquids and other materials need to be safely stored in approved fire safe storage areas and containers. Thin trees and brush within this space and eliminate flammable grasses and plants growing under trees. As conditions get drier and hotter, the speed of fires will increase. Allowing a larger defensible space gives you more time to get out safely and the fire department more time to save your home.
• Space trees at least 30 feet apart and prune lower limbs to a height of at least 10 feet. Make sure there are no branches that hang over structures, which could allow flames to jump to your home. Highly flammable trees such as eucalyptus and pine should be avoided or removed if located close to structures.
• Contact your local fire department or go to www.madera-county.com/firemarshal/pdf/Flammable-plants.pdf. for a list of high fuel plants that should be removed. If you are in a high fire danger area, fire agencies will often send an inspector at your request to help determine plants and trees that pose a threat to structures.
• Use fire resistant plants and do not plant in large masses. This helps prevent the fire from having the continuous fuel needed to carry the fire to your home. Close to your home use decorative rock, gravel, stepping stones, cement or stone garden art, stone walls or other items which can help modify, slow or break the path of a fire on your property. Your local fire department or nursery will have a list of fire resistant plants native to your area.
• In many areas due to reduced water allocations, it may not be possible to keep a well-watered landscape or to use supplemental irrigation. Consider using fire resistant plants that are also drought tolerant, along with water saving irrigation technology or a drip system that could help you maximize your water allowance.
• Plant beds should be filled with low flammable plants or decorative rock. All flowerbeds should be mulched. Mulch helps keep water in the soil and helps keep plants healthy. Be careful not to use pine bark, thick layers of pine needles or flammable mulches.
• Make sure water sources needed to fight the fire are working and easy to find. Plastic irrigation lines and parts are flammable and should be installed underground. Also consider some type of rain harvesting or other water storage system. As water becomes more scarce, it is even more important to conserve. The more resources available to help fight fire the better.
• Consider your entrance and exit defensible space. If it is lined with trees or other burning materials you may not be able to escape and/or the fire department may not be able to access your property and save your home.

Preventing Soil Erosion from Wind, Rain or Flood After A Fire

• When protective plants are removed, soil becomes vulnerable to erosion. Soil erosion can happen slowly or it can happen very quickly in a heavy rain. Defensive measures need to be taken immediately to prevent the soil from blowing away, washing away or collapsing into a mudslide. The exact measures needed for your property are based on your soil type, slope grade, home location, weather, water availability etc.
• In the case of wind erosion on flat ground, putting something over an area of flat soil to keep it from blowing away is effective until plant life resumes. In some areas tackified straw pellets, mulch or other erosion control materials may need to be applied.
• The steeper the slope, the harder it is to successfully introduce plants and other items that will keep the ground from eroding. Erosion control blankets, straw wattles, hydraulic mulch and other erosion control materials can be used to help hold slopes in place. Depending upon the slope, retaining walls, interlocking concrete blocks or terraces may be necessary. Consider temporary erosion control measures to keep the ground from washing away until the plants recover. Native plants in burned areas will return on their own.
• Water flow is an important factor of any erosion plan. Never underestimate the power of storm water and debris. Evaluating the area and planning for storm events is a critical first step to protecting your property. You’ll want to protect your home and your neighbors’ as well.
• If you need help with erosion control or fire prevention landscaping, be sure to hire a licensed professional who specializes in that area of expertise. Ask for references, insurance certificates and request to see their license.

How Can I Prepare for a Drier and Hotter Future?

• Less water, higher temperatures, and lower rainfall are in our future, increasing our fire risk. It’s time to start preparing now to protect homes and natural resources. Here’s what you can do to begin:
• Consider water conservation and reuse programs such as rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, advanced irrigation technology and water storage.
• When considering home repairs or upgrades, incorporate water efficient technology and fire resistant materials.
• Examine your landscaping and the long-term availability of water in your area. Consider reducing or replacing lawns with fire retardant, drought resistant plants.
• Start a FireWise Community in your neighborhood. The FireWise Communities Program is a federally funded, nonprofit program that involves communities, homeowners, developers and others to reduce the loss of lives and property.

As a community, members work together to consider escape routes, vegetation removal, establishing defensible areas, water supplies, building materials and more. Their website is www.firewise.org.