Doing a series of small steps now can prevent serious fire damage later

By Paula Hyatt

In Ashland we are not strangers to the risk of wildfire, and many of us have experienced evacuation firsthand. We recognize the wisdom of packing a go bag and ensuring it remains ready during fire season. (Resources on go bags can be found at ready.gov/kit). We have all heard “Know Your Zone” for the purpose of evacuation, and recently new signage was installed enabling folks to know the zone they are in even when they are not at home. However, addressing the preparation needs of our home may feel daunting. Fortunately, there are many small projects that yield helpful results in reducing fire risk around your home. Spread the work out into manageable bites, then taken together, the effort is impactful.  

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together” —Van Gogh 

 We may not be painting a masterpiece landscape, but we are absolutely working to protect one and it will take each of us doing our part, to be successful. 

First, if you have not already, please consider signing up for Citizen Alerts through Everbridge. By cell phone, text “97520” in the message line to the following number: 888777. Landlines are already registered for emergency notifications. You can customize your notifications online at the following link: member.everbridge.net/1332612387832182/login.

Next, turn your attention to the “Immediate Zone” of your home. The Immediate Zone spans the first 0-5 feet around your home and is critically essential to home hardening efforts. The Immediate Zone is most vulnerable to windblown embers capable of igniting combustible vegetation, debris and other fuel sources. The goal: take steps to help mitigate embers progressing to flames. Small steps within this zone include:

• Check your foundation vents. Ensure the vents are screened with 1/8-inch metal mesh. Many homes have mesh that measures ¼ inch. Unfortunately, embers can permeate easily through ¼ inch screens. Windblown embers that enter crawl spaces can ignite debris, stored materials, and other combustible materials under a home. Installing 1/8-inch metal mesh will help keep embers out. Already have 1/8 inch mesh? Great! Inspect all vents to ensure the mesh is not in need of repair and that it is cleared of dry leaves and pine needles. 
• Dryer vents should be checked regularly and cleaned of lint build-up.
• Visually inspect your window screens. Rips in screens create a path for embers to enter combustible spaces.
• Walk the perimeter of your residence to remove dry leaves and debris that may have blown into corners and crevices.
• Clear decks and porches of debris lodged between deck boards and where the deck meets the structure. (Please do not store combustible items under your deck. This includes allowing vegetation to grow under deck structures. This is critical. Embers can fall between deck boards, or windblown embers can collect under decking and ignite materials stored, growing, or accumulating underneath.)
• Don’t forget to look up! Ensure your attic vents are also screened and in good repair. Once again, 1/8^th metal mesh provides the best protection from embers.  

Additional, impactful projects

Some home hardening projects are larger just by the nature of the work. However, the small step of creating a work plan now, can go a long way toward accomplishing the effort before fire season.

• If you store wood next to the home, strongly consider relocating this fuel at least 30 feet from the structure, where possible.
• Maintaining gutters and clearing dry leaves, needles and debris goes a long way to help harden your home. Also remove any debris lodged next to dormers, vents, solar panels, skylights, and irregular roof lines. 
• Prune limbs that overhang the roof, porches, decks and especially chimneys to create 10 feet of space between tree branches and the home.   
• Keep the ground within 5 feet of the home clear of mulch, flammable plants, leaves, and needles. For more information on ground cover in the Immediate Zone, Ashland Fire & Rescue’s wood mulch burn tests provide helpful information and recommendations. Spoiler alert: composted mulch resists burning and smoldering more than larger bark and chip mulch products. Rocks, hardscape, and bare dirt provide excellent mulch alternatives and the best protection from embers. The full video can be found at ashlandoregon.gov/FireAdaptedAshland.

This spring, the city of Ashland will begin its annual Wildfire Safety Campaign providing a key focus for each month.  April will highlight home hardening and protecting structures from embers and flames. May follows with recommendations to address vegetation and keeping yards “lean, clean and green.” Be on the lookout for green debris drop off day dates being advertised soon.

In June, Be Ready! Have your go bag prepared in case of emergency.

Finally, July will focus on Smokewise and preparing for compromised air quality.  

Starting home hardening now allows time to spread the effort out and make the job more manageable. Fire Adapted Ashland (ashlandoregon.gov/FireAdaptedAshland) provides many resources, including videos on exterior home care, landscaping, and hardening decks and fences.  

Even small home hardening actions, brought together, achieve helpful results.  

Don’t delay. Start small today. 

Email Ashland City Councilor Paula Hyatt at [email protected]. Email letters to the editor and viewpoint submissions to [email protected].