OTHER CONSIDERATIONS IN MAKING YOUR HOME DEFENSIBLE

1. ROOF

• Remove dead branches hanging over your roof.
• Remove any branches within 15 feet of your chimney.
• Clean all dead leaves and needles from your roof and gutters. Install a roof that meets the fire resistance classification of "Class C" or better. Local jurisdictions may require a higher fire resistance rating. Check with the building dept. or your local volunteer fire dept.
• Cover your chimney outlet and stovepipe with a nonflammable screen of one-half inch or smaller mesh.
  

4. EMERGENCY
WATER SUPPLY

• Maintain an emergency water supply that meets fire department standards through one of the following:
  — a community water/hydrant system
  — a cooperative emergency storage tank with neighbors
  — a minimum storage supply of 2,500 gallons on your property
• Clearly mark all emergency water sources and notify your local fire department of their existence.
• Create easy firefighter access to your closest emergency water source.
• If your water comes from a well, consider an emergency generator to operate the pump during a power failure.

2. CONSTRUCTION

• Build your home away from ridge tops, canyons and areas between high points on a ridge.
• Build your home at least 30 feet from your property line.
• Use fire resistant building materials.
• Enclose the underside of balconies and above-ground decks with fire resistant materials.
• Limit the size and number of windows in your home that face large areas of vegetation.
• Install only dual-paned or triple-paned windows.
• Consider sprinkler systems within the house. They may protect your home while you’re away or prevent a house fire from spreading into the wildlands.

5. ACCESS

• Identify at least two exit routes from your neighborhood.
• Construct roads that allow two way traffic.
• Design road width, grade and curves to allow access for large emergency vehicles.
• Construct driveways to allow large emergency equipment to reach your house.
• Design bridges to carry heavy emergency vehicles, including bulldozers carried on large trucks.
• Post clear road signs to show traffic restrictions such as dead-end roads, and weight and height limitations.
• Make sure dead-end roads and long driveways have turnaround areas wide enough for emergency vehicles. Construct turnouts along one-way roads.
• Clear flammable vegetation at least 10 feet from roads and five feet from driveways.
• Cut back overhanging tree branches above roads.
  

3. YARD

• For landscaping, see “Creating An Effective Defensible Space” steps 1 thru 6.
• Stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from all structures and clear away flammable vegetation within 10 feet of woodpiles.
• Locate propane tanks at least 30 feet from any structure and surround them with 10 feet of clearance.
• Remove all stacks of construction materials, pine needles, leaves and other debris from your yard.
• Contact your local fire department to see if open burning is allowed in your area; if so, obtain a permit before burning debris.
• Where burn barrels are allowed, clear flammable materials at least 10 feet around the barrel; cover the open top with a non-flammable screen with mesh no larger than one-quarter inch.

6. OUTSIDE

• Designate an emergency meeting place outside your
  home.
• Practice emergency exit drills regularly.
• Make sure that electric service lines, fuse boxes and circuit breaker panels are installed and maintained as prescribed by code.
• Contact qualified individuals to perform electrical maintenance and repairs.