Construction techniques: Wildfire
|
Wildfires only happen in California, right? Well, maybe in Florida and New Mexico too, but certainly not in your neighborhood. However, in truth, nearly every state has been devastated by wildfires in the last century. Over 140,000 wildfires occurred on average each year, burning a total of almost 14.5 million acres. And since 1990, over 900 homes have been destroyed each year by wildfires.
While wildfires are more frequent in the West, recent events have demonstrated that this is clearly a nationwide problem. This is because more of us are living in rural areas closer to nature. These areas are more prone to wildfires and that means our homes are at risk. No home is fireproof, but by taking the necessary precautions, your home has a better chance of surviving such a catastrophe. So, what can you do to protect yourself, your home and property from wildfires? This brochure presents tips for preparing your home and yard to survive a wildfire. The information and suggestions presented in this brochure range from simple weekend tasks to involved projects that may require professional assistance. Before starting on any activity, make sure you are comfortable with the required skill level. If you are uncertain, contact a professional engineer, architect, or building contractor. First Things First If you’re handy with a hammer and saw, you can do much of the work yourself. Work involving your home’s structure may require a building contractor, or a registered design professional such as an architect or engineer. Before making any structural changes to your home, check with your local building officials to be sure what you’re doing complies with local building codes. Give Your Home A Survivable Space Through Smart Landscaping Create a zone around your house that will slow the wildfire down and possibly direct it around your home. To do this, you must view your yard as a fuel source. Fire will only burn if fuel is present. Fuel can be your landscaping, woodpiles, decks, etc. To create your survivable space, take the following steps within 30 feet of your home, 50 feet if you live in a heavily treed area or 100 feet if your home is on a hillside
If the wildfire gets to the house, another line of defense is the type of materials used on your home’s exterior. Use the following guidelines to best protect your home:
For information about filing an insurance claim after a natural disaster, contact your insurance agent or insurance company. For more Information: ·Is Your Home Protected From Wildfire Damage?
Back to: 
Websites of your interest: |