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Additional Resources |
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Landscaping ideas, illustrations, fire prevention Southwest Washington Fire Prevention Council Washington State Department of Natural Resources |
Outdoor burning is not permitted from July 15 through September 30 each year.
It's time to prepare for wildfire season
Now is the time to protect your family, your home, and your property against a wildfire.
With this year's potential for very dry weather, you should complete your fire prevention preparations early before dry conditions prohibit the use of power equipment and clearing operations. Don't wait to take action until your house or neighborhood is threatened by a fire.
All vegetation is potential wildfire fuel. One of the best ways to give your home a fighting chance is the creation of a 30-foot clear area around your house called a "defensible space." This is the area between the house and an oncoming wildfire where the vegetation has been modified or removed to reduce the fire threat, giving firefighters an opportunity to defend the house effectively.
Creating a defensible space can include substituting less flammable plants for more hazardous vegetation - for example, removing a dense stand of flammable shrubs and planting an irrigated, well-maintained flowerbed. Or it may mean eliminating plants entirely from the space, particularly trees and shrubs.
The Fire Marshal also recommends developing an evacuation plan for your family. Identify and gather priority items to take with you should you have to evacuate on short notice, and make sure that your family knows where to reunite in case the evacuation occurs when everyone is not at home.
Wildfires are fast-moving and very dangerous. During a wildfire emergency, you and your family should be ready to evacuate immediately to an area of safety.
Take this self-evaluation to rate your home's wildfire safety: www.firewise.org/fw_youcanuse/quiz/are-you.html
Preparing your home and property for wildfire season
As summer approaches, the time to prepare your home and property for the wildfire season is at hand. One of the best ways to do this is to create a 30-foot clear space around your house, called a "defensible space." Below are some tips on preparing your home for the wildfire season, using the "Three Rs" of defensible space:
REMOVAL - eliminating plants entirely, particularly trees and shrubs.
- Remove tall, dry grasses and leaf accumulations that can provide a path for fire and lead it directly to your home.
- Remove leaves, needles, and other combustible debris from your roof and gutters. These, too, can catch fire from flying sparks and embers, spreading fire to your roof.
- Remove "ladder fuels", which are combustible materials that allow a fire to move from lower vegetation to taller fuels. This can be done by providing a separation between vegetation layers (brush and trees).
- Relocate firewood and other combustible debris (wood scraps, grass clippings, leaf piles, etc.) at least 30 feet uphill from your home.
REDUCTION - removing plant parts, such as branches or leaves.
- Remove dead or overhanging branches near your house. These can catch fire during a wildfire from direct contact with flames or by flying sparks, which could then spread to the roof of the house.
- Prune bushes and shrubs on a regular basis to remove excess growth, dead leaves and branches. Once grasses and wildflowers have dried out or "cured", cut down and remove them from the defensible space area.
REPLACEMENT - substituting less flammable plants for more hazardous vegetation.
- Removing a dense stand of flammable shrubs and planting an irrigated, well maintained flower bed is an example of replacement.
If your property has surface water, wetlands, or seasonal streams or slopes, vegetation removal could have significant and long term environmental impacts. The "Digital Atlas" tool at gis.clark.wa.gov/imf/imf.jsp?site=mapsonline will help identify areas to avoid. Contact the staff of Clark County's Community Development department for advice on protecting the environment while creating defensible space.
For properties within the City of Vancouver, the removal of vegetation for fire protection may require a tree removal and / or critical areas permit. Prior to any vegetation removal, contact the City of Vancouver's Development Review Services at (360) 696-8105 to determine applicable permitting requirements. Vancouver's Web site is www.ci.vancouver.wa.us.
Other jurisdictions within Clark County include the cities of Camas (www.ci.camas.wa.us), Battle Ground (www.cityofbg.org), Washougal (www.ci.washougal.wa.us), La Center (www.ci.lacenter.wa.us), and Yacolt. These cities should be consulted before beginning any work to be sure you comply with any local ordinances.
Your local Fire District is also available to answer your questions. Use Digital Atlas to find out which Fire District you are in. Select "Service District Maps" from the Jump To drop down menu, then choose "Fire Districts."
Equipment rental companies in the Clark County / Vancouver area for tools such as saws and chippers include:
- Bob's Rentals and Sales, 7904 NE Hwy 99, (360) 573-4671
- RSC Rentals, 7920 NE St Johns Rd, (360) 690-8139, www.rscentral.com
- Sunbelt Rentals, 7103 NE 88th Street, (360) 750-4555, www.sunbeltrentals.com
- Parkrose Hardware, 16509 SE 1st Street, (360) 693-7881, www.parkrosehardware.com
- S & I Equipment, Inc., 6710 NE 219th Street, (360) 574-1034
- Star Rentals, 5811 NE 121st Avenue, (360) 254-6800
- United Rentals, 6705 NE 117th Avenue, (360) 260-7368, www.unitedrentals.com
