Protect Your Home |
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With more and more people moving into the wildland/urban interface, the
chances for human-caused fire starts increase. Factors such as untreated
wood-shake shingled roofs, narrow roads, limited access, lack of
firewise landscaping, inadequate water supplies, and poorly planned
subdivisions are examples of increased risk factors for people living
within this interface zone. There are several things homeowner's can do
prior to a wildland fire ignition that will minimize your losses should
you come face to face with a wildland fire. Homeowners should first be familiar with the ways in which fire spreads. Second, they should evaluate their property and factor in risks related to construction issues, defensible space, vegetation, available water sources, undeveloped areas, and accessibility. From here, homeowners should familiarize themselves with the fire triage guidelines and be able to understand why some houses are saved from wildfire, while others are not.
Homeowners should also read "Protecting Your Property From Wildfire", a publication of the Kansas Forest Service. After reading these two sources of information, take the Fire Hazard Test to see how your home would stack up if faced with a wildland fire. Secondly, put the suggestions you have learned to use to improve the rating of your house. Finally, take the Fire Hazard Test a second time and compare your results to the first to see the benefits. |