Wildfire season is among us and it’s critical to be prepared with the right plans, tools and supplies. Given the COVID-19 challenges of this past year, connecting with your community to prepare will look a little different this year. Right now, is the perfect time to focus on getting your home wildfire ready while maintaining social distance. A difference can still be made in your community.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides a list of projects homeowners can safely put into action on their property to avoid gatherings or group events during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are 3 ways to jump-start your prep plan today.
Prep Plan 1: Risk Reduction
Improve Wildfire safety where it matters most, your home and community. Projects such as creating a 5-foot safety zone around your home give you and your family a head start on wildfire threats. For the first 5-foot perimeter around your home, keep it green, lean and clean. That means the removal of all dead plants, grass and trees. Clean pine needles and dry leaves from gutters and keep tree branches trimmed at least 10-feet or more from your roof and 6-feet from the ground. This will be your home’s front-line defense against wildfire.
Prep Plan 2: Fire Suppression Tools
There are effective fire suppression tools that can be used to help prevent fires. Compressed Air Foam Systems (CAFS) such as the Macaw® Backpack can serve as a tool in such situations as wetting out embers and controlling ditch burns. The Macaw is a wearable CAFS that can easily reach any part of a property. Of course, it goes without saying that if you’re in immediate danger or receive evacuation orders, always prioritize your safety and get out!
The SwiftCAF® ATV/UTV is a small to medium scale, Compressed Air Foam System perfectly suited for rapid incident attack in restricted emergency access areas, cross country, off-road and in rugged terrain environments. Using the terrain spray bar with the 14-gallon tank allows users to apply a 4-foot, half mile long wetline before needing a refill.
Prep Plan 3: Enhance Wildfire Safety Efforts
Many communities already address wildfire risk in their communities through certain voluntary programs, like the Firewise Communities® for example. This program managed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) teaches homeowners how to protect their homes by managing vegetation or retrofitting structures to be fire-resistant. Residents of active Firewise communities can earn national Firewise recognition that not only demonstrates responsible homeownership in the wildland urban interface but can potentially reduce insurance premiums and improve real estate values.
Wildfire safety efforts reinforce the effectiveness of voluntary programs and ensure that public and private activities complement one another to keep communities in high-risk wildland areas safer.
Get your prep plan in place today. Prepare and stay aware.
