The risk of wildfire has become an unfortunate reality throughout rural North America. Risks can be reduced dramatically, though, through mitigation efforts.
Mitigation includes removing potentially flammable debris and vegetation from areas immediately surrounding structures, and thinning vegetation elsewhere on a property. Local fire departments, state extension services, county governments, and insurance companies can generally provide guidelines to assist property owners in forming a mitigation strategy.
Wildfire Protection Points Points
The Roof
A property owner should keep a roof free of debris, and have a roof professionally inspected to determine its combustibility rating.
Property Fences
Check fences, especially those close to structures, to be sure debris has not gathered along the bottom of the fence. (Imagine a hard wind pushing tumbleweeds up against a fence, creating abundant fuel for a fire.) Clear any such debris and regularly inspect fences to ensure flammable material doesn’t collect against fencelines. Consider building any new fences from noncombustible material, such as concrete, stone or metal.
Defensible Spaces
Always consult with your local fire department to correctly define defensible spaces specific to your property. In general, though, property owners should create two zones around a structure.
The first will extend at least 30 feet in every direction; inside this zone, combustible materials – including wood piles – should be removed; vegetation should be aggressively thinned; trees close to the structure might need to be removed altogether; and vehicles, trailers and the like should be removed. Close to a home, owners might consider landscaping with fire-resistant plants; extension services, landscapers or nurseries can offer insight on plant species ideal for a given climate and environment.
A second zone might extend past that 30-foot mark to a distance of 100 feet from the structure. Dead vegetation, including tree branches, should be removed from this zone, and trees inside the area should be kept trimmed and maintained.
Mitigation experts recommend removing tree branches that are six feet or less from the ground, and ensuring there’s abundant space between trees. Specific guidelines may depend on the types of trees (and bushes) on the property, and the property’s topography. Again, consult local fire authorities for guidance.
Mitigation is labor-intensive, but makes immediate sense as an investment of time and money. Efforts can be handed off to professionals who specialize in such work.
Property buyers might assume that, if a property currently has a homeowner’s policy, further mitigation efforts shouldn’t be necessary to maintain coverage. In reality, a new owner might have to follow updated mitigation guidelines (rules the former owner might not have been required to follow) in order to obtain insurance coverage. In extreme cases, a property might not be insurable at all for a new owner without aggressive mitigation work. When it comes to any rural property, particularly one that’s wooded or that has abundant grass, a buyer should make a conversation with an insurance company a key part of early due-diligence efforts.
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