More Nagging

As the season changes from Summer to Fall, we are still in the season with no change at all: Fire season. Peering through the smoke, you can see the leaves on the trees changing color, but more significantly, the leaves are dry.

Until Fire season ends, homeowners and property owners must stay vigilant with your fire prevention skill-building techniques. Just a few of the little things in fire prevention can make a big difference in whether your place survives a fire storm.

The prediction is for cooler weather ahead in the first couple of weeks of October, which will mean a little more humidity and perhaps a lessening of the Red Flag warnings from the National Weather Service. And with increasing containment of the fires burning all around us now, we also should see a clearing of the smoky skies.

But, listen, no relaxing your fire awareness yet. Now is the time to practice your fire prevention skills even more. With cooler and clearer weather coming, now is the perfect time to get outside and make a difference.

So, I’m nagging you one more time to get serious, if you haven’t already. Give your place the once-over with fire prevention in mind. Here are some techniques from the Buttecounty.net/disaster preparedness website:

Right now:

  • Clear off the roof and empty the gutters.
  • Clear the driveway to at least twenty feet wide, and fifteen feet from the ground up, for the firetrucks.
  • Clear the weeds within thirty feet of all structures, propane tanks, and utility boxes.
  • Develop your outside water supply, with hoses to reach the entire house.
  • Cut tree limbs that hang within 15 feet of the roof and chimney. Install a spark arrestor on the chimney and keep it clear of tar and debris.
  • Thin and prune the dead stuff out of trees and brush.
  • Move that stack of firewood thirty feet from the house, preferably uphill.

If you are evacuated:

  • If you have time and capability, blow or sweep the leaves, pine needles, and debris from the roof, and out of the gutters.
  • Clear debris and any items that will burn from around the house, including lawn furniture, barbecue grills, especially barbecue propane bottles, chairs and tables on a deck, all the little things that can catch a spark. Throw them all at least twenty feet from the house, outside your defensible space.
  • Lean a ladder against the side of the house, right out front where the firefighters can see it.
  • Close all the windows and doors. Cover outside vents, like the attic, eaves, and foundation vents. People have used duct tape and plastic. The idea is to block air flow into the vents, so flying embers and sparks aren’t sucked into the house.
  • Close all the doors inside the house and drop shutters and blinds, again to prevent air draft.
  • Shut off the gas or propane supply lines. Put your can’t-live-without papers and valuables in the car.
  • Connect garden hoses for firefighters to use. Fill any pools or hot tubs, and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
  • Park the car pointing away from the house with the key in the ignition.
  • Put the pets in the car.
  • Release any horses and livestock from barns into the pasture.

These are just a few of the recommended techniques. People have come up with more ideas with sprinkler systems, landscaping, and fireproof materials outside and inside houses and buildings. One tip a reader sent in, is to connect a “Foam-Fast” cartridge attachment to your garden hose for firefighting which turns the spray into foam, a more effective fire suppressor than water. He says the product is sold locally for around $125.00. Check out foam-fast.com.

Okay, no more nagging for now. But, any more technique tips?