Extension

Wildfires have consumed thousands of acres, numerous homes, outbuildings, livestock and anything else in the path of the flames that broke out recently in northwest Oklahoma.

While fighting flames during devastating fires is nearly impossible, homeowners can take some steps to help minimize the impact of future fires. The risk of a wildfire is always there, but how landowners manage their property can make a big difference.

Research on home destruction vs. home survival during wildfires indicates that embers and small flames are the main ways homes catch fire. Embers can travel more than a mile through the wind and can cause spot fires and ignite homes.

Keeping a 100-foot defensible space around a home is the best place to start. Think of the property as three different fire zones. The immediate zone is within 0 to 5 feet of the house. The intermediate zone expands up to 30 feet from the home. The extended zone is anywhere between 30 and 100 feet from the home.

Things to Consider in the Immediate Zone

• Remove dead leaves and pine needles from the roof and gutters.
• Repair or replace broken shingles.
• Install mesh screening on roof vents to reduce embers from passing through.
• Repair or replace loose window screens. Screen in open areas below decks and patios to prevent debris from accumulating.
• Move anything flammable away from exterior walls. This includes flammable plants, mulch, firewood and other flammable materials.
• Remove items stored underneath decks or porches.
   

Intermediate Zone

• Keep the lawn and native grasses mowed.
• Remove vegetation under trees so a surface fire can’t reach the crowns of the trees. Prune trees up to 6 to 10 feet from the ground. For shorter trees, don’t exceed 1/3 of the overall tree height.
• Limit clusters of trees to just a few each to break up the continuity of the vegetation across the landscape.
• Remove vegetation under stationary propane tanks.
  
  

Extended Zone

• Dispose of heavy accumulations of ground litter and debris.
• Remove vegetation around storage sheds, barns and other outbuildings.
• Trees within 30 feet of the home should be about 18 feet away from each other. Trees 60 feet or more from the home should have at least 6 feet between their canopies.
• Remove dead plant and tree material.

When selecting plants for the landscape, choose those that are more fire-resistant. Look for plants with low flammability ratings to plant near the home. Avoid trees that contain oils and resins that are highly flammable.

Following some of these simple steps may make the difference between a home sustaining minor damage and burning to the ground.