Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov

*** For Immediate Release***

Date: April 1, 2010
Contact: Deputy State Fire Marshal Esther Hernandez
Phone: (360) 596-3926
E-mail: esther.hernandez@wsp.wa.gov

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Spring into Fire Preparedness – Protecting Your Home from Wildfire

Spring is the perfect time to start preparing for what is predicted to be a dry summer and possibly a significant fire season. As more people move to remote areas creating an environment where fire can move readily between structures and vegetation, wildfires have become increasingly common. There is no guarantee that firefighters will be able to save your home if a wildfire occurs, so it is imperative that property owners in the wildland/urban interface understand the risks and prepare appropriately.

The Home Ignition Zone includes the home and adjacent surroundings within 100 to 200 feet. The relationship between the home and all material surrounding the home, including neighboring homes, ultimately determines what treatments are required. Follow these helpful guidelines for your landscape and home construction –

Lean:

• Mow the lawn regularly.
• Prune shrubs and cut back tree branches – the lowest branches should be at least 6-10 feet from the ground and should not overhang any part of your home.

Clean:

• Remove dead vegetation, such as leaves and pine needles from gutters, under your deck and within 10 feet of your home.
• Take out ladder fuels – material on or near the ground that will carry fire to the crown of the tree.
• Firewood stacks should be at least 30 feet from the home.

Green:

• Plant fire-resistant vegetation and water plants, grass and trees regularly to ensure that they are healthy and green, especially during fire season.

Construction:

• Use Class A, B or C rated roofing material (fire-resistant).
• Use fire-resistant building materials on exterior walls, overhangs and attachments.
• Use double-paned or tempered glass in windows, skylights and doors.
• Enclose eaves, fascias, soffits and vents.

For more information on the home ignition zone and fire preparedness, visit the Office of State Fire Marshal website at www.wsp.wa.gov/fire/firemars or the Firewise website at www.firewise.org

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is a Bureau of the Washington State Patrol, providing fire and life safety services to the citizens of Washington State including inspections of state licensed facilities, plan review of school construction projects, licensing of fire sprinkler contractors and pyrotechnic operators, training Washington State’s firefighters, and collecting emergency response data.

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