I Didn't Know That!: Preparing Fire Safe Communities

Winter, spring, summer, or fall—wildfires can happen at any time! Are you prepared? As city boundaries and housing developments expand, we see a larger wildland urban interface (WUI), or zone of transition between unoccupied land and human development. WUI areas have a greater chance of being affected by fire because of large amounts of plant landscaping, fuel sources, and structures that could sustain a fire.

Did You Know?

During a wildfire, traveling embers cause the most home ignitions. Protection measures taken within 200 feet of the home, known as the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ), have a significant impact on minimizing damage and loss.

Las Conchas Fire (2011), Valles Caldera National Preserve

NPS / J. Dewar

What You Can Do

Taking actions to prepare your home for wildfire will help reduce risk to firefighters and the community. When a wildfire threatens, follow instructions from public safety personnel. If there is an evacuation ordered, go! There are several things you can do to prepare your home and prepare for emergency evacuation.

Image courtesy of ready.gov

Plan Ahead

• Pack an emergency "go kit".

• Plan two ways out of your neighborhood and designate a meeting place before a wildfire.

• Each home should have at least two different entrance and exit routes.

• Plan for pets, make sure your evacuation plan and preparation includes your pets and livestock.

• Stay informed. Sign up for emergency alerts and notices in your community.

• Prepare your home before you travel.

• Inspect and clean chimneys regularly. Equip chimneys for wood burning heating units with spark arresters.

Keep Embers from Taking Hold

• Clear needles, leaves, and other debris from roofs, gutters, porches, and decks.

• Keep firewood, propane tanks, and heavy brush at least 30 feet away from buildings.

• Space landscape vegetation so that fire cannot be carried to the structure or surrounding vegetation.

• Maintain a fuel break around all structures. Avoid using bark or wood chip mulch right next to structures.

• Keep lawns mowed and hydrated.

• Install metal mesh screening in attic and crawl space vents.

• Dispose of lawn debris and cuttings.

Image courtesy of ready.gov

When Wildfire Threatens

• Remove all flammable outdoor items from decks and porches, this includes cushions, propane tanks, door mats, etc.

• Connect garden hose to outlet.

• Have fire tools handy such as: ladder long enough to reach the roof, shovel, rake and bucket for water.

More Information

Find more information from the National Fire Protection Association to prepare your home ahead of a wildfire if you live in the wildland urban interface.

Pass It On!

Did you learn something new? Pass it on! There is so much to learn about the natural world and how to explore it, but there's no way for everyone to be an expert in everything. That's why sharing knowledge is so important. Share what you've learned to make sure your community is prepared for wildfires.

Check out other I Didn't Know That! topics.

Text Description of Infographic

I Didn't Know That! Preparing Fire Safe Communities

• Are you prepared? Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall—wildfires can happen at any time!
  • Checklist
    • Prepare and emergency "go kit"
    • Make an evacuation plan and designate a meeting place.
    • Plan for pets, including livestock.
    • Stay informed. Sign up for emergency alerts.
• Is your house fire safe?
  • Clear needles, leaves, and debris from roofs & gutters.
  • Maintain a fuel break around all structures.
  • Keep firewood, propane, or other flammable materials at least 30 feet from structures
• go.nps.gov/idkt