SPOKANE, Wash – Officials warn everyone to prepare for fire season. They told NonStop Local the best way to keep your home safe during wildfire season is to create a defensible space around your property.
Guy Gifford from the Department of Natural Resources said preparing your property for the season and creating a defensible space is essential; “it significantly increases the chances of structures and homes not being damaged as a result of a wildfire.”
Gifford said a defensible space is comprised of three zones.
Zone one is a five-foot perimeter around your home. Gifford said mulch and dirt are the best choices for this area. You want to avoid having beauty bark around your home, as it can easily catch fire. He also added to avoid having plants in this area that dry in the summer.
“Ideally, in that zone, you have nothing that can light.”
Zone two is the 30 feet around your property. This is what Gifford called the “lean, clean, and green” zone, which will protect your property from radiant heat.
Zone three is the broader area around your home. In this area, homeowners should reduce energy by trimming and treating trees.
Chief Cody Rorhback from Fire District 3, who responded to the Grove Fire, agreed with Gifford that defensible spaces are effective and said the flames in untreated areas towered over his crew.
“Flames at this point were twice tree height.”
He added that these defensible spaces could save your home but also help firefighters in the long run.
“They’re going to be more effective with a limited amount of water. That’s going to increase that probability of the home making it through, and it’s also going to save resources for the next home.”
Gifford warned those who don’t take wildfire season seriously and take the necessary precautions: “I hope you have good insurance.”
