T oday's fire environment is changing. As more and more people move into and near wildland areas, the risk of wildland fire increases. That area where homes meet the wildlands is called the wildland/urban interface or WUI. Fires can start on either private land and move onto forested lands or move from the forested areas to homes. This bi-directional movement creates complexities and difficulties for firefighters. Wildland firefighters are trained to fight wildland fires. Their focus is on protecting the natural resources. They do not carry the appropriate equipment nor are they trained to fight structural fires. Structural firefighters are not trained to fight wildfires nor are they equipped with the specialized equipment wildland firefighters use. Structural firefighters focus on the immediate structure burning. When homes ignite in the WUI, attentions are diverted from the wildlands to saving structures and lives.

The role of Federal agencies in the wildland/urban interface includes wildland fire fighting, hazardous fuels reduction, cooperative prevention and education and technical assistance. Structural fire protection in the wildland/urban interface is the responsibility of Tribal, State and local governments. In the last few years, the Cibola National Forest has worked in partnership with local fire departments, particularly in wildland/urban interface areas, to share expertise and participate in training sessions.

T here are some things you, as a homeowner, can do to learn to live safely in the fire environment of the Southwest. Although these recommendations are no guarantee from the threat of wildfire, you can make your home and property less susceptible to damage and loss and live more safely in the fire environment of the Southwest. Listed below are some simple precautions.

TO CREATE A DEFENSIBLE SPACE:

• Keep annual dry grass and brush removed from a radius of at least 100 feet around structures. Remove dead and dying vegetation.
• Move woodpiles away to a cleared area 30 feet from structures.
• Clear down to dirt 10 feet around propane tanks.
• Remove combustible materials from under decks, stairs and eaves.
• Clear debris (pine needles, leaves) from roof tops and gutters. Clear overhanging limbs 10' from the roof and chimney.
• Provide clear access to your home and make sure your home is clearly marked so that fire service agencies can respond quickly.
• Trim trees from the ground up 6 to10 feet and space trees 10 feet apart.
• If you have a continuous covering of pinyon/juniper or other shrubs, consider creating islands of vegetation so that there is a clearing between the vegetation. A good rule of thumb is to measure the height of the shrub, double it and keep the horizontal arrangement that distance from shrub grouping to shrub grouping.
• Fire resistant plants are good choices for replacing weeded areas. Check with your local New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service or nursery for plant choices.
• If shake shingles are present on a structure, consider replacement or have them treated with a fire retardant.

T he roof and eaves are the most vulnerable part of your home. Hot embers can travel miles ahead of the main fire and move from roof top to roof top. This has been evidenced on fires from the East coast to the West coast. One of the more notable fires, the EAST BAY FIRE IN THE OAKLAND-BERKELEY HILLS in California in October 1991, ignited one building every 11 seconds for 10 hours that it burned. Firefighters were overwhelmed by the firestorm conditions in the wildland/urban interface. Although this is a California example, homes have been lost to wildfires in both New Mexico and Arizona.

I f you live in or near the wildland, you may want to visit the www.firewise.org website. This site will provide you with information and fire prevention methods which, when implemented, can reduce the likelihood of property losses from a wildland fire.