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Vegetation
- Know that firemen can only enter your property if they know they will be able to leave safely – there must be a safe clear path from front yard to back
- Remove all flammable vegetation and objects within 50 feet of any structure. (Single ornamental specimens may be permitted if they would not readily transmit fire from native vegetation to the structure)
- Thin out additional vegetation for a total of 200 feet around structures
- Avoid having large mass of vegetation next to large windows.
- Avoid planting flammable species - such as pine, palm, juniper, Cyprus, oleander, eucalyptus
- Avoid having sculpted hedges that hide tinder inside of them.
- Plant fire hazard comes from mass, species, closeness to structure, obstruction of egress.
- Periodically remove dead branches, replace old shrubs, and remove vegetation within 10 feet of roof, driveway or road.
- Maintain 16 ft vertical clearance on roads
Other
- Houses can catch fire by embers landing on small flammable nearby items such as doormats. (Embers can jump miles in front of a fire. Radiant heat alone could combust something like a broom.) Do not keep any flammable objects close to structure
- Stack firewood at least 30 feet away from your home or other structures - and 10 feet from flammable vegetation
- Locate all propane tanks at least 30 feet from any structure
- Store all combustible or flammable liquids in secured approved storage containers, oily rags in metal cans with lids
- Keep HAZMAT materials away from the house and identified so the fire dept recognizes them when they enter your property
- Cover your chimney outlet with a spark arrester – a non-flammable wire mesh screen of 1/2" or smaller. Never put Christmas trees or needles in the fireplace
- Install ember resistant vents, and closed eaves.
- Enclose the underside of decks
- Enclose rain gutters
- Weather-strip the garage door or any leaky windows or doors
- Consider fire resistant building materials for roof, siding, deck, fencing, shutters, dual paned windows
- Periodically clean rain gutters, inspect chimneys and screens
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