With fire season upon us, now is a good time to remove flammable debris from around homes and outlying buildings before a wildfire strikes, according to fire officials.
"The past wet winter has produced a great deal of fuel for wildland fires," said Central Lyon County Fire Chief John Gillenwater. "The goal is to break the chain of flammable fuel between a home and the wildland."
Creating defensible space includes the following early steps:
• Residents should examine their yards to identify what could catch fire and spread to structures. Are tall grass and thistles cleared from around propane tanks and are the tanks the proper distance from homes?
• Do firefighters have a safety zone for battling the fire? Can firefighters easily locate residential areas and isolated houses and buildings and can they safely reach these structures?
• Are street addresses plainly visible from the street?
• Is firewood a safe distance from buildings?
• Are water supplies identified and operational to help keep property irrigated during the heat of the summer months?
• Create a defensible landscape by grouping together plants with similar water needs and spacing them to create a "fuel mosaic" that will conserve water and protect against the spread of wildfire.
Landscaping for fire protection can maintain a natural look to the surroundings.
Work with plants native to the area and use patterns found in nature. There are no fire-proof plants, but some plants are more fire-resistant than others. Consider all these factors when choosing plants and trees, and once a firewise landscape has been created, regular maintenance is essential to preserve its fire resistance.
For additional information on flammable vegetation and defensible space, contact the Central Lyon County Fire Protection District at 246-6209 or visit www.livingwith
fire.info.