Wildfire Preparation Helps Prevent Property Loss

Regardless of where you live, taking time to prepare is important in preventing wildfires and reducing the likelihood of property damage or bodily injury should a wildfire occur. Here are three key steps:

1. Assess your property for ways to make it less susceptible to fire spread: 

• Reduce the amount of combustible material near your property by clearing debris, wood, brush, and other materials. Check out detailed recommendations from readyforwildfire.org about how to create defensible space zones. 
• Use metal mesh to cover vents, chimneys, and other openings. 
• Keep rain gutters clear of debris. 
• When you remodel your home, choose fire-resistant materials, such as metal or tile roofing and fiber cement siding or stucco. 
• Use fire-resistant landscaping materials, such as stone, and plant hardwood trees that are less susceptible to fast fire spread than conifers. 

2. Do your part to prevent wildfires:

• Never leave any outdoor fire unattended, and make sure fires are fully extinguished and cold to the touch before leaving the area. 
• Do not use equipment that produces sparks outdoors, particularly on dry and windy days. 
• Do not park vehicles in tall, dry grass. 
• Keep grills and propane tanks away from your house and do not use grills during high-risk conditions. 
• Always have a fire extinguisher and, ideally, a water supply when you are working with power equipment outside. 

3. Have a plan in place in the event a wildfire does threaten your property: 

• Maintain a detailed property inventory of your home. Acuity has a home inventory worksheet you can use.
• Review your homeowners policy regularly with your independent agent to be sure you have adequate coverage for your home and personal property.
• Be sure everyone in your home knows the location of fire extinguishers, hoses, fire-fighting tools, and shutoffs for gas, electric, and water. 
• Create an evacuation plan for your family, pets, and livestock. 
• Keep an emergency supply kit and a battery-powered radio in case you need to evacuate—the Red Cross provides a list of recommended supplies.