Steve Kovacs

Wildfires—From Alabama to Alaska Find Out What You Can Do to Help Yourself



Posted: Monday, October 29, 2007

by
The Kovacs Perspective

Many people think wildfires are solely a California phenomenon and thats simply not true. The huge devastation in October 2007 in Southern-California, reminds us that California certainly gets pummeled quite often, however, wildfires can and do occur anywhere in the United States . Although wildfires are more frequent in the West, the truth is that nearly every state has been devastated by wildfires in the last century.

In the U.S. more than 100, 000 wildfires occur each year. As an example, in 2000, almost eight million acres burned in the United States . Thats about the combined size of the states of Delaware , Massachusetts and Rhode Island !

Why so many fires:

How do these fires start?

The term wild-land/urban interface is a term used where homes blend together with wild land. People cause about 90% of wildfires, with the remaining ten percent being caused by lightening.

Can we prevent these wildfires?

  • Careful disposal of cigarettes, cigars and matches

  • Not parking vehicles on dry grass

  • The careful use of fireworks and no use of fireworks in dry conditions

  • Making sure campfires are completely out

  • Keeping any combustible, such as stoves and lanterns away from things that can catch on fire

  • Not using stoves, heaters and lanterns inside a tent

    Are there ways to prepare for a wildfire? A great way is to start a preparation plan is by assessing your property:

  • Do you border a wild-land area?

  • Have wildfires occurred in the area?

  • Do tree limbs extend over your home?

  • Do you have dying trees near your home?

  • Do you have a lot of tall vegetation crowded around your house?

  • Do you have a wooden fence attached to your house?

  • Do you have fuel tanks nearby, such as propane or fuel oil?

  • Do you have a woodpile nearby?

  • Do you live on top of a sloped area? Hot gasses rise up in front of a fire along a slope, moving a grass fire up to four times faster with flames twice as long as a fire on level ground.

    If you live in any area of concern here are some tips:

    Create a survivable distance between your home and the wild-land. This makes it harder for the fire to take hold and also makes it easier for you or the fire department to help your house survive

  • If you have dead trees or dead tree limbs remove them

  • If you have tall crowded vegetation near your home, get rid of them

  • Tree limbs should be no closer to your home than 10 feet

  • Woodpiles should be moved away from your home

    What distances should you have between you and the wild-land? It depends on your risk factor. If youre in a low risk area, 50 feet on all sides is a benchmark to use.

    A low risk area is:

  • Limited wild-land

  • Humid climate, short dry season

  • Flat terrain

  • Man-made fuels are at least 50 feet away

  • Little or no history of wildfires

  • Trees not crowding the home

  • Easy access for fire trucks

  • Fire hydrant no farther than 300 feet away

    If you are in an area with a moderate risk you should make that distance at least 100 feet. A moderate risk area is:

  • Bordering a wild-land with light brush, grass or trees

  • History of wildfires

  • Hilly terrain

  • A dry season less than 3 months

  • Trees are located close to your home

  • Man-made fuels are within 50 feet from your house

  • Fire hydrants within 500 feet

  • Access for fire trucks

    And if you live in a high-risk area, 200 feet or more should be used. A high-risk area is:

  • Dry climate with a dry season of over three months

  • History of wildfires

  • Forested wild-land within 100 feet from the house

  • Trees crowded within 30 feet of your home

  • Steep terrain (grade average over 20%)

  • Man-made fuels within 30 feet from your house

  • No fire hydrants

  • Limited access for fire trucks

    Like any type of personal protection safeguards the same follows for wildfires; be aware of your surroundings. Listen to media reports, alarms, warnings and predictions. And remember to always follow evacuation orders.

    • Steve Kovacs is the author of Protect Yourself: The Simple Keys Women Need to be Safe and Secure. He is the host of the Internet Radio Talk Show, The Kovacs Perspective http://www.thekovacsperspective.com/ where he interviews experts in various fields, geared to help and inform. Steve also does on-line current events audio commentary as well.

    Steve's background is in law enforcement, security, investigations, teaching and is also the president of a small specialty investigation company: http://www.allsourcesecurity.com/investigations.htm. Contact Steve any time at:info@thekovacsperspective.com

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