5/15/2017 May Wildland Fire Minute

May is Wildfire Mitigation Month. Fire is here to stay in the Pacific Northwest, so we all need to do our part to learn to safely coexist with it. One way we can do that is through creating fire-adapted communities. 

Here are some actions you can take to make your home more firewise:

• CLEAR leaves and other vegetative debris from roofs, gutters, porches and decks. REMOVE dead vegetation and anything combustible from under your deck or porch, SCREEN in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.

• REMOVE flammable materials (wood piles, propane tanks) from within 30 feet of your home and outbuildings.

• PRUNE trees so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet from the ground.

• KEEP your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, cut it down.

• INSPECT shingles or roof tiles. Replace or repair the shingles that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration.

• COVER exterior attic vents with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent sparks from entering the home. ENCLOSE eaves and screen soffit vents using 1/8 inch mesh metal screening to prevent ember entry.

• Work with your neighbors to ensure your entire community is fire adapted. Learn more at fireadapted.org or firewise.org.

To learn more about the latest wildland fire conditions in the Pacific Northwest head on over to: http://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/

Video by Michael Campbell, BLM -- Graphics by Matt Christenson, BLM – Featuring Traci Weaver, BLM/U.S. Forest Service.