What does it means to be “fire-wise”

25 October 2022

Published by: https://www.newscenter1.tv

USA – Living in a forested area comes with responsibilities to protect your home from wildfires

RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Rapid City community is between the 87th and 95th percentile for wildfire risk in the country, so it is important to be prepared for wildfires.

What is being fire-wise?

Being fire-wise means that home owners are taking actions pre-fire to prepare and protect their property in the event of a wildfire.

Why should I be prepared for wildfires?

Wildfires are a natural part of the ecosystem. Forests like the Black Hills need wildfires to thrive. As our community continues to expanded, and more homes are being built in the Black Hills, it’s inevitable that wildfires will affect homeowners in the area. It’s not a matter of if, but when a wildfire will affect you or someone you know.

Here are some photos of how fires have affected people in the Rapid City area:

What can I do to protect my home?

1. Within a five-foot radius of structures, there should be a very low potential of ignition from flying embers. This means that it should be free of wood mulch, wood piles, dead plants, dried leaves and needles, and flammable shrubs like juniper.
2. There should be at least a 30 foot radius around any structure that is free of dead vegetation and flammable debris.
3. Plants within the 30 foot radius should be well kept and green.
4. Between the 30 and 200 foot radius is the wildland fuel reduction area. This means that all dead vegetation should be removed, thick shrubs should be thinned, and ladder fuels should be removed. Ladder fuels are fuels that can carry a surface fire into the tree canopy, like low tree branches and tall shrubs.
5. Rain gutters should be cleaned regularly.
6. Openings to your home should be covered with a wire mesh.
7. Propane tanks and firewood should be at least 30 feet from any structures.
8. Create a plan for what to do when a wildfire approaches.

That seems like a lot, where do I start?

If you don’t know where to start, give your local fire department a call. They should be able to help you come up with a plan, or even help you with some of the landscaping. The Rapid City Fire Department will teach property owners how to better manage their land and protect their homes. They even have grant money set aside to help fund fire risk reduction projects.

The important thing to remember is that fire season isn’t just in the summer, it’s all year long. The upcoming fifth anniversary of the Legion Lake Fire serves as a clear reminder that wildfires can happen at any time of the year.