Don’t Fuel the Fire

Don’t Fuel the Fire

Nearly every state has experienced fires that rage out of control in the landscape. While the largest and most devastating burn in the West, fires also spread in the East and South, where suburb meets country, or housing development meets conservation land.
Homeowners can protect their properties in two ways:
 
  • Design and maintain a landscape that discourages fires
  • Build with flame-resistant materials
"Fires need fuel, such as dead trees, shrubs and grasses," says Tchukki Andersen, BCMA, CTSP* and staff arborist with the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). "While no landscape is fireproof, there are steps you can take to reduce the danger."
TCIA offers these tips for your landscape to combat wildfires:

 

  • If you are in a wildfire-prone area, reduce the amount of potential fuel around your home. Provide enough tree-free space between your home and the undeveloped land to help ensure that your home can survive without firefighters.
  • All dead branches that hang over your roof should be removed. Leaves, needles and other dead vegetation should not be allowed to build up on the roof or in gutters.
  • In parts of the country where wildfires are rare, an area of well-irrigated vegetation should extend at least 30 feet from your home on all sides. In high-hazard areas, a clearance of between 50 and 100 feet or more may be necessary - especially on downhill sides of the lot.
  • Further from the house, install low-growing shrubs. When planting trees, space them at least 10 feet apart. Beyond 100 feet from the house, dead wood and older trees should be removed or thinned by qualified professionals.
  • The lower limbs of tall shade trees should be pruned 6 feet above the ground. A professional arborist should always be contacted to remove any large broken or dead limbs high in the tree. Careful pruning preserves a tree's appearance, enhances structural integrity and assists in the plant's ability to resist fire. 
"As a general rule, the healthier the tree, the more likely it is to survive a fire," explains Andersen. "In addition to pruning, a professional arborist can recommend fertilization, soil management, disease treatment or pest control measures to promote healthy trees. Landscape design and maintenance are also important factors in a home's survival."
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Find a professional 
 
A professional arborist can assess your landscape and work with you in creating a safer, more fire-resistant landscape. Contact the Tree Care Industry Association, a public and professional resource on trees and arboriculture since 1938. It has more than 2,200 member companies who recognize stringent safety and performance standards and who are required to carry liability insurance.
TCIA has the nation's only Accreditation program that helps consumers find tree care companies that have been inspected and accredited based on: adherence to industry standards for quality and safety; maintenance of trained, professional staff; and dedication to ethics and quality in business practices. An easy way to find a tree care service provider in your area is to use the "Locate Your Local TCIA Member Companies" program. You can use this service by calling 1-800-733-2622 or by doing a ZIP Code search on www.treecaretips.org
Categories: Local News

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