Fire: A homeowner’s checklist

First, here’s hoping Kootenai County’s two weekend wildfires haven’t caused you any harm. It was only a matter of time before summer wildfires, a natural, but increasing consequence of living in this woodland paradise, hit closer to home.

Homeowners living with or near tree stands are neither helpless nor solely dependent on luck. An action list from state forest managers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency can help reduce risk now, even if you weren’t already prepared before the dry season.

To start, think like fire. It travels quickly across, looks for fuels (anything that burns), and rises upward. Consider your home’s fire resistance by examining the topography of your property, what kind of vegetation is close by, and what fire can consume and climb.

Assess your risk.

North Idaho’s wildfire history and geography makes it high-risk. Be aware of recent weather; long, dry periods typical of Idaho summers make it fire prone. If you’re a forestland owner, it’s a good idea to hire a forest management professional to assess your property and offer specific recommendations to manage it and reduce fire risk.

Are roads leading to your property clearly marked and wide enough for firefighting equipment to get through? Is your house number visible from the road?

Thin and maintain trees and plants.

All vegetation is potential wildfire fuel. To reduce risk, thin or eliminate brush, trees and other nearby vegetation. The more distance between trees, and between fuels and your home, the greater the protection.

A 30-foot safety zone around the house with minimal vegetation within is ideal. If you live on a hill, extend the zone on the downhill side. Fire spreads rapidly uphill. The steeper the slope, the more open space needed.

Actions within this zone:

• Remove vines from walls.

• Move shrubs and other landscaping away from house sides.

• Prune branches and shrubs within 15 feet of chimneys and stovepipes.

• Ensure tree limbs start at least 15 feet from the ground.

• Thin a 15-foot space between tree crowns.

• Replace highly flammable trees such as pine, evergreen, eucalyptus, junipers and firs with lower growing, less flammable species. Check with your local fire department or Idaho Department of Lands for suggestions.

• Get rid of vegetation with branches which start at ground level (they’re ladder fuels for approaching fire).

• Cut the lawn often.

• Keep ground clear of leaves, brush, dead limbs, and fallen trees. Create a second zone at least 100 feet around the house, beginning about 30 feet from the house. In this zone, reduce or replace the most flammable vegetation.

Combustible objects and grills:

Identify all combustible materials (e.g. toys, vehicles, tools, wood piles) outside the house and keep to a minimum, ideally not next to the house. Stack firewood 100 feet away and uphill. Keep gas grills and propane tanks at least 15 feet from the house. Clear an area 15 feet around the grill. Place a one-quarter inch mesh screen over the grill.

Sun decks and porches:

Any porch, balcony or deck with exposed space underneath is fuel. Overhangs ignite easily by flying embers and fire trapped underneath. Vegetation or things stored underneath make it worse, so best keep it clear. Extend half-inch mesh screen from overhangs down to the ground. Enclose wooden stilts with noncombustible material such as concrete, brick, rock, stucco or metal. Use non-combustible patio furniture and covers.

Use nonflammable roof and siding when possible. The roof is especially vulnerable in a wildfire. Embers and flaming debris can travel great distances, land on your roof, and start a new fire, so avoid wood, shake and flammable shingle. More fire-resistant options are single-ply membranes, fiberglass shingles, slate, metal, clay and concrete tile.

Fire-resistant siding options include stucco, metal, brick, cement shingles, concrete and rock. You can treat wood siding with UL-approved fire-retardant chemicals, but it’s not permanent, so find out how often it should be reapplied.

Keep gutters clear of leaves and debris. Cover house vents with wire mesh.

Treat windows.

Windows allow radiated heat to pass through and ignite combustible materials inside. The larger the pane of glass, the more vulnerable it is to fire. Dual- or triple-pane thermal glass, and fire-resistant shutters or drapes, help reduce fire risk. You can also install noncombustible awnings to shield windows and use shatter-resistant glazing such as tempered or wire glass.

Even folks who live in “regular” neighborhoods without a woodsy feel benefit from these basic principles. Clearing space around the home, avoiding outdoor clutter, maintaining vegetation and keeping grass watered and cut all help reduce the risk of fire damage, whatever the cause.

Finally, don’t forget to have a good, up-to-date fire extinguisher and family evacuation plan for your home year-round. For more information, check out your fire district’s Fire Smart Program listed at www.kcsheriff.com/190/FireSmart or call 208-777-8500.

Please stay safe.

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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Email sholeh@cdapress.com.