Even a Mild Fire Season Begs The Question
-What If It's Your Woods That Are Burning?-
Release Date: June 13, 2002
Release Number: R10-02-46
Salem, OR --Fire officials are predicting an average fire season this year here in the Pacific Northwest-welcome news after last year's record setting wildfires. But we're still below normal precipitation levels and technically still under drought conditions - and there is little room for complacency. With more dry weather forecasted and wildfires currently burning in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration offer a single message: The time to mitigate disasters' worst effects is to take effective action before they strike!
To protect homes from wildfires, FEMA Regional Director John Pennington urges the creation of "defensible perimeters" by clearing flammable debris away from homes and structures, particularly those in urban interface areas nestled near forested tracts. "Prevention is worth a pound of cure, and I've spent my last few weekends cutting trees and clearing underbrush away from my own home," said Pennington. "Many Washington and Oregon residents tend to think of wildfires as a 'wilderness' or 'east of the mountains' thing. Fires west of the cascades may be few and far between, but when our woods go up, they really go up, and place a lot more homes at risk."
To protect homes from wildfires, Pennington urged the creation of "defensible perimeters" by clearing flammable debris well away from structures, outbuildings and phone and power poles:
- Establish firebreaks around the perimeter of structures, power poles and property.
- Cut back flammable weeds and brush and remove tree branches to a height of 15 feet.
- Stack firewood away from your home.
- Store combustible materials only in approved containers, and away from the house.
- Keep roofs, chimneys and gutters clean.
- Keep a non-flammable screen over the flue opening of chimneys or stovepipes.
- Use fire resistant materials when retrofitting or renovating structures.
- Install smoke detectors on every floor, and near sleeping areas.
- Have fire tools (shovel, rake, water bucket and a ladder that can reach the roof) handy.
Plan and rehearse family evacuation plans.
"We know we can't stop Mother Nature, but we can change Human Nature," said Pennington. "We can take action before disasters strike to mitigate their worst effects and remove some of the pain from the recovery process."
Last Modified: Thursday, 28-Aug-2003 09:09:17