This 25-minute video features Fire Scientist Jack Cohen showing examples of homes that were unprotected during a wildfire; homes using Home Protection Guidelines (see below); and examples where home protection guidelines can be put to use.
Home Protection Guidelines:
- Eliminate all flammable materials (potential fuels) within 10 feet of the house.
- Consider any wood roof flammable; wet the whole roof frequently.
- Remove flammable materials away from decks or boardwalks -- if it's connected to the house, consider it part of the house.
- Remove pine needles from gutters and the roof.
- Staple metal window screening over any openings or gaps including low decks, walkways and crawl spaces.
- If possible, place sprinklers to wet the area around the house especially within 60 feet of the house.
- Reduce or eliminate surface fuels starting at the house to within 100 feet of the house and prune lower limbs of trees at least 8 feet above the ground.
"Most of the houses I've examined very likely ignited from small spot ignitions on or adjacent to the home -- not from the big crown fire flames. That means a homeowner can easily do fuel reductions that can potentially save their homes."
-- Jack Cohen
For more information, please visit the following Web sites:
To order your copy of the video, contact RMRS Distribution:
Richard Schneider - Publications
USDA Forest Service
Rocky Mountain Research Station
240 W Prospect Road
Fort Collins, CO 80526
Phone: 970-498-1392
Fax: 970-498-1122
E-mail: rschneider@fs.fed.us
Watch the video online!
(For best results, right-click to download the file to your computer then open it there.)
Best Quality (WMV - 122.5 MB)
Good Quality (WMV - 55.1 MB)
Low Bandwith Quality (WMV - 12.2 MB)
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