Wildfires often begin unnoticed. They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees and homes. Reduce your risk by preparing now, before wildfire strikes. Meet with your family to decide what to do and where to go if wildfires threaten your area. Follow the steps listed here to help protect your family, home and property.

Practice Wildfire Safety
 

• Make sure that emergency response vehicles can get to your home. Clearly mark all driveway entrances and display your name and address.

• Teach children about fire safety. Keep matches out of their reach.
• Be sure that everyone knows how to Dial 911 to report a wildfire.
• Plan a primary escape route, as well as a second alternative route, away from your home; by car and by foot.
• Consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs such as the elderly or disabled persons. Make plans to take care of children who may be on their own if parents aren't or can't get home.

• Regularly clean roof and gutters.
• Inspect chimneys at least twice a year. Clean them at least once a year, or more often as needed. Keep the dampers in good working order. Equip chimneys and stove pipes with a spark arrester that meets the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (Code 211).
• Install at least one (more as needed) smoke alarm(s) on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms; test monthly and change the batteries at least twice a year (change your clock, change your battery).
• Teach each family member how to use your home fire extinguisher (ABC Type), and make sure everyone knows where it's kept.
• Keep a ladder that will reach the roof for reaching and extinguishing sparks and embers that may land on the roof.
• Consider installing protective shutters or heavy fire resistive drapes.
• Keep handy household items that can be used as fire tools: axe, handsaw or chainsaw, bucket and shovel.

Design and landscape with wildfire safety in mind. Select materials and plants that can help contain fire rather than fuel it. Use fire resistant or non-combustible materials on the roof and exterior structure of the dwelling. Or, treat wood or combustible material used in roofs, siding, decking or trim with UL-approved fire retardant chemicals. Plant fire-resistant shrubs and trees.  Create a 30 to 100 foot SAFETY ZONE around your home!  Within this area, you can take steps to reduce potential exposure to flames and radiant heat.

• Rake leaves up and dispose of dead limbs and twigs. Clear all flammable vegetation.
• Remove leaves and rubbish from under structure.
• Thin a 15-foot space between treecrowns and remove limbs within 15-feet of the ground.
• Remove dead branches that extend over the roof.
• Prune tree branches and shrubs within 15-feet of a stovepipe or chimney outlet.
• Notify the power company of branches on or near power lines.
• Remove vines from the walls of your home.
• Mow grass regularly.
• Clear a 10-foot area around propane tanks and the barbecue. Place a screen over the grill. Use non-flammable material with mesh no coarser than one 1/4 inch.
• Regularly dispose of newspapers and trash at an approved site.
• Follow all area specific burning regulations.
• Be sure to thoroughly extinguish all stove, fireplace and grill ashes before discarding.
• Store gasoline, oily rags and other flammable materials in approved safety cans and storage lockers. Place cans in a safe location away from the base of buildings.
• Stack firewood at least 100 feet away and uphill from your home. Clear combustible material within 20 feet. Use only UL-approved wood burning devices.

If you are warned that a wildfire is threatening your area, listen to your radio (have a battery back up) or television for reports and evacuation information.

• Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape. Leave the key in the ignition. Close garage windows and doors, but leave them unlocked. Disconnect automatic garage door openers.
• Confine pets to one room. Make plans to care for your pets in case you must evacuate.
• Arrange temporary housing at a friend or relative's home outside the threatened area.

If Advised to Evacuate, Do So Immediately.