Fire Prevention & Preparedness
Ways to stay alert and ready in an Emergency:
Homeowner Safety Checklist
Zones The primary goal for Firewise landscaping is fuel reduction — limiting the amount of flammable vegetation and materials surrounding the home and increasing the moisture content of remaining vegetation. The home itself and everything around it up to 100 – 200 feet is known as the ‘home ignition zone.’ In areas across the country where the risk of wildfire is high, the home ignition zone extends up to 200 feet beyond the actual home structure. Within this 200 foot area, there are three zones. Zone 1 encircles the structure and all its attachments (wooden decks, fences, and boardwalks) for at least 30 feet on all sides. Note: the 30-foot number comes from the very minimum distance, on flat ground, that a wood wall can be separated from the radiant heat of large flames without igniting. In this area:
Zone 2 is 30 to 100 feet from the home, and plants in this zone should be low-growing, well irrigated and less flammable. In this area:
Zone 3 is 100 to 200 feet from the home and this area should be thinned, although less space is required than in Zone 2. Note: Because of other factors such as topography, the recommended distances to mitigate for radiant heat exposure actually extend between 100 to 200 feet from the home – on a site-specific basis. In this area:
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Safe Mountain Driving
It's no secret that mountain roads can be perilous with many sharp turns, drop-offs, and animals. According to transportation studies, motor vehicle accidents involving wildlife rank as the third leading cause for crashes behind speeding and inattentive driving. While some collisions may be unavoidable, motorists can reduce the likelihood of an accident by taking the following precautions:
If you have a collision with an animal, pull over and call the State Patrol (dial *CSP from your cell phone in Colorado) or local law enforcement to report the accident. If the animal is still on the roadway, they can safely remove it. In the wintertime, these dangers are compounded by the added threat of slippery, frozen roads. In order to keep you and your family safe, it is important to follow safety guidelines while driving. AAA Tips for driving in the snow:
In the case of an emergency, it's important to be prepared. Winter driving safety kits are a proven and effective way to stay safe in the winter. These kits often include:
Sources
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Fire-wise tips for Homeowners:
- Start with the little things first
- Non flammable roof
- Clean gutters
- Clean debris and leaves
- Remove fuel sources close to the house
- 5-foot non flammable zone around the house
- No organics such as mulch, shrubs or bushes that could easily ignite
- If there are branches touching the house, trim them back 10 feet
- Do large projects to remove potential fuel
- Create space between trees, at least 30 feet between crowns
- Remove heavy accumulations or brush or shrubs 100-200 feet away from an structure
- Create fuel breaks such as rock patios or walkways
- Low water requirement (xeriscape) landscaping
- Replace windows with higher paned or tempered alternatives and screen all vents or openings