(Brevard County, Fla) - By creating a defensible space around your home, you can give firefighters a better chance of saving your home should wildfire emerge.
What is the Zone Concept?
The Zone Concept was developed in the late 1990s by USDA Forest Service fire scientist Jack Cohen. He based the concept on the results of experimental research on how homes ignite due to the effects of radiant heat. Fore more than 15 years, NFPA's wildfire safety recommendations have been improved upon, allowing firefighters to educated the community on how citizens can prepare their homes and landscape to resist wildfire.
Using the Zone Concept
One of the best things homeowners can do to prepare for wildfire is to limit the amount of flammable vegetation and materials around their home. The "Home Ignition Zone" is the 200 feet surrounding your home and is broken up into three distinct zones.
Zone 1 includes the structure and all attachments (decks, fences, etc.) for 30 feet on all sides. In this area:
- Plants should be carefully spaced, low-growing and free of resins, oils and waxes that burn easily.
- Mow the lawn regularly. Prune trees six to ten feet from the ground.
- Space conifer trees 30 feet between crowns (to prevent crown-to-crown fire spread) and trim back trees that overhang the house.
- Create a "fire-free" area within five feet of the home.
- Remove dead vegetation from under decks and within ten feet of the house.
- Consider fire-resistant material for patio furniture, swing sets, etc.
- Remove firewood stacks and propane tanks; they should NOT be located in zone 1.
- Water plants, trees and mulch regularly (consider Xeriscaping if you are affected by water-use restrictions).
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:
- Leave 30 feet between clusters of two to three trees, or 20 feet between individual trees.
- Encourage a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees
- Create "fuel breaks," like driveways, gravel walkways and lawns
- Prune trees six to ten feet from the ground.
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.
- Remove smaller conifers that are growing between taller trees. Remove heavy accumulation of woody debris.
- Reduce the density of tall trees so canopies are not touching.
Learn more about your home and wildfire.
Use the interactive modules, games and quizzes below to learn about how wildfire behaves and what you can do to make your home safer.
- Firewise Landscape / Construction Guide
- How to have a Firewise home
- Preparing a Home for Wildfire Season
- Wildfire Approaching
- Explores a Fire wise Home
- Firewise Plant Lists
- Research About How Homes Ignite.
Videos.
Watch Firewise Videos to learn more about wildfire behavior and how to make your safer.
###
By: Donald Slayman
Public Information Officer
Brevard County Professional Firefighters
Email: Donald.Slayman@IAFF2969.com
No comments:
Post a Comment