| Salcha residents are reminded that now is the perfect time to prepare the "defensible space" around your home to protect it from wildfires. |
Defensible Space
Defensible space is an area around your home where fuels and vegetation are treated, cleared or reduced to slow the spread of wildfire towards your house. Your house is more likely to withstand a wildfire if grasses, brush, trees and other common forest fuels are managed to reduce a fire’s intensity. It also reduces the chance of a structure fire moving from your house to the surrounding forest, which could make you also financially responsible for the ensuing forest fire fighting effort.
When creating defensible space for your home, think of creating two zones of protection. Zone 1 is the area of maximum modification. It consists of an area of 30 feet around your home in which all flammable vegetation, such as tall grass, brush, dead trees and black spruce, is removed. This 30 feet is measured from the outside edge of the home’s eaves and any attached structures, such as decks. This zone should allow enough space for firefighting crews to maneuver equipment and vehicles to fight your fire if needed.
Zone 2 is an area of fuel reduction. The defensible space in Zone 2 should extend at least 100 feet from your home. Within this zone, your goal is to disrupt the continuity of flammable vegetation. Remove stressed, diseased, dead or dying trees and shrubs. Thin and prune the remaining larger trees and shrubs, especially black spruce. Trim spruce branches to 8-10 feet above ground level. Be sure to extend forest thinning effort along either side of your driveway all the way to your main access road.
This can be a lot of work. Can't do it all in one season? At least clear out Zone 1.
If you see a wildland fire, call 911 imediately.