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It's up to us... Fire Safety Publications About the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council About the Community Wildfire Protection Plan
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Also print the PDF wildfire risk checklist and evaluate YOUR home FLYING EMBERS are the most common way wildfires spread to homes. Many homes burn down from wildfires after firefighters leave, because smoldering embers were hiding under decks, in gutters, under roof tiles, and inside vents.
Most wildfires start in windy conditions, and create more wind of their own. Burning embers or “firebrands” carried by wind can travel a mile from the main fire. And the wind will drive those embers into every nook and cranny they can find. Fact #1: Burning embers will start new fires only
where there’s fuel for them to burn -- like trellises,
pine needles, dead weeds, deck furniture, planter Fact #2: Embers will try with all their might to invade your buildings and burn them down. Fact #3: Embers won’t succeed if you prepare to stop them! ROOF. A wood shake roof is your home’s worst enemy! Wood shake roofs are
prime receivers of burning
embers -- and prime
reasons that houses burn
down in wildfires. They are prime kindling looking for a spark! DECKS. Burning embers love to hide under decks and porches -- and then catch homes on fire. Prevent this by enclosing the undersides of your deck with non-flammable material or a fine wire mesh. Clear everything flammable out from under it. CHIMNEYS. Chimney and stovepipe openings should be covered with wire mesh 1/4 inch or smaller, and an approved spark arrestor cap. Be sure to clean out your chimney every fall! VENTS. To keep burning embers out, all vent openings should be covered with 1/4-inch metal wire mesh, or smaller. WINDOWS. Radiant heat from a wildfire can cause windows to shatter. It can also melt window frames. Then burning mbers can blow straight inside and start new fires. Large windows, including glass doors, are very vulnerable. Your best choice is double-paned or tempered glass, with small panes and metal frames. PROPANE AND OTHER TANKS. Tanks should be at least 30 feet from your house. Clear all flammables 10 feet away from tanks. A fire near a fuel tank can cause it to heat up and vent or even explode. Firefighters will steer clear of such dangers, and leave your home to its fate! DRIVEWAY. A driveway all the way around your house is ideal. It provides easy access for firefighters, a place for them to work -- and serves as a fire break between your home and the wildlands. Whatever shape your driveway, keep brush and branches trimmed back from it, up to 15 feet high, for fire engines’ access. GUTTERS. Gutters and places where roof angles meet can trap burning embers. Keep your roof free of leaves, needles, and other debris, to help prevent a fire on your roof. If more than 1/4 of your roof is on fire, firefighters will not try to save your home! SIDING. Wood siding is fuel for a wildfire. But walls made of
stucco, brick, or cement/Hardie board will resist heat and flames. |
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