Reducing wildfire risk: Bella Vista community works to prevent future fires

16 December 2022

USA – BELLA VISTA, Calif. — Members of the Shasta County Fire Safe council teamed up with the Dusty Oaks Firewise community group on Thursday to take steps to prevent wildfires and limit the fire threat.

Board member of the Shasta County Fire Safe Council, Barbara Holder, says it’s not just about clearing public spaces but private property owners doing their part as well.

There aren’t necessarily programs for coming onto private property and doing the work so really people need to step up to save their own properties and homes.

Steps to protect your home from fire danger:

Immediate zone:

The home and the area 0-5’ from the furthest attached exterior point of the home; defined as a non-combustible area. Science tells us this is the most important zone to take immediate action on as it is the most vulnerable to embers. START WITH THE HOUSE ITSELF then move into the landscaping section of the Immediate Zone.
Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris and pine needles that could catch embers.
Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration.
Reduce embers that could pass through vents in the eaves by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening.
Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install 1/8 inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers.
Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
Move any flammable material away from wall exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn. Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.

Intermediate zone:

5-30’ from the furthest exterior point of the home. Landscaping/hardscaping- employing careful landscaping or creating breaks that can help influence and decrease fire behavior
Clear vegetation from under large stationary propane tanks.
Create fuel breaks with driveways, walkways/paths, patios, and decks.
Keep lawns and native grasses mowed to a height of four inches.
Remove ladder fuels (vegetation under trees) so a surface fire cannot reach the crowns. Prune trees up to six to ten feet from the ground; for shorter trees do not exceed 1/3 of the overall tree height.
Space trees to have a minimum of eighteen feet between crowns with the distance increasing with the percentage of slope.
Tree placement should be planned to ensure the mature canopy is no closer than ten feet to the edge of the structure.
Tree and shrubs in this zone should be limited to small clusters of a few each to break up the continuity of the vegetation across the landscape.
Jeff Powers of the Bella Vista Fire Safe Council stressed the changes don’t happen overnight and it takes many community partners coming together to make fire safety a priority.

Extended zone:

30-100 feet, out to 200 feet. Landscaping – the goal here is not to eliminate fire but to interrupt fire’s path and keep flames smaller and on the ground.
Dispose of heavy accumulations of ground litter/debris.
Remove dead plant and tree material.
Remove small conifers growing between mature trees.
Remove vegetation adjacent to storage sheds or other outbuildings within this area.
Trees 30 to 60 feet from the home should have at least 12 feet between canopy tops.
Trees 60 to 100 feet from the home should have at least 6 feet between the canopy tops.

It doesn’t have to be a big project you can just organize your street or your local neighborhood and it can make a lot of difference.

After receiving a grant, the Shasta County fire safe council moved forward to helping Bella Vista communities with proper fire prevention projects like brush removal.

Committing to being a Firewise neighborhood takes hard work and organization but communities like Bella Vista see the value in preventative measures. “We are just chipping all the brush to you know reduce the fuel road and make this road going in and out a little bit safer,” Jeremy Kelly explained. Kelly was the crew supervisor who runs the equipment that shreds the brush and branches. He adds that taking these measures can help save so many people’s homes and neighborhoods.

“It is not just the notion, we have data that tells us that this can make all the difference in the world in the case of a wildfire.” Holder added.

Being prepared for wildfires:

Before a wildfire threatens your area

In and around your home

Clear leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves, porches and decks. This prevents embers from igniting your home.
Remove dead vegetation and other items from under your deck or porch, and within 10 feet of the house. Learn more about the basics of defensible space on the Firewise website.
Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
Remove flammable materials (firewood stacks, propane tanks) within 30 feet of your home’s foundation and outbuildings, including garages and sheds. If it can catch fire, don’t let it touch your house, deck or porch.
Wildfire can spread to tree tops. Prune trees so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet from the ground.
Keep your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, cut it down to reduce fire intensity. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire.
Don’t let debris and lawn cuttings linger. Dispose of these items quickly to reduce fuel for fire.
Inspect shingles or roof tiles. Replace or repair those that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration.
Cover exterior attic vents with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent sparks from entering the home.
Enclose under-eave and soffit vents or screens with metal mesh to prevent ember entry.

Creating an emergency plan

Assemble an emergency supply kit and place it in a safe spot. Remember to include important documents, medications and personal identification.
Develop an emergency evacuation plan and practice it with everyone in your home.
Plan two ways out of your neighborhood and designate a meeting place.

In your community:

Contact your local planning/zoning office to find out if your home is in a high wildfire risk area, and if there are specific local or county ordinances you should be following.
If you are part of a homeowner association, work with them to identify regulations that incorporate proven preparedness landscaping, home design and building material use.
Talk to your local fire department about how to prepare, when to evacuate, and the response you and your neighbors can expect in the event of a wildfire.
Learn about wildfire risk reduction efforts, including how land management agencies use prescribed fire to manage local landscapes.
Learn how you can make a positive difference in your community.

During the time a wildfire is in your area:

Stay aware of the latest news and updates from your local media and fire department. Get your family, home and pets prepared to evacuate.
Place your emergency supply kit and other valuables in your vehicle.
Move patio or deck furniture, cushions, door mats and potted plants in wooden containers either indoors or as far away from the home, shed and garage as possible.
Close and protect your home’s openings, including attic and basement doors and vents, windows, garage doors and pet doors to prevent embers from penetrating your home.
Connect garden hoses and fill any pools, hot tubs, garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water. Firefighters have been known to use the hoses to put out fires on rooftops.
Leave as early as possible, before you’re told to evacuate. Do not linger once evacuation orders have been given. Promptly leaving your home and neighborhood clears roads for firefighters to get equipment in place to fight the fire, and helps ensure residents’ safety.

The Shasta County Fire safe council was provided a grant from United Way and the CA fire Foundation to help these communities with their brush removal projects.

16. December 2022/by GFMCadmin