As wildfire season kicks into high gear, proactively preparing your property is crucial. Whether you’ve braved wildfires before or are new to a wildfire-prone area, this guide will help equip you for the season. Read on to learn about the most common wildfire risks, how to create defensible spaces on your property, and how forestry mulching helps combat the start and spread of fires.
The Growing Threat of Wildfires
In recent years, the threat of wildfires has increased immensely, leaving disaster and devastation in its wake. The combination of climate change, rising temperatures, extended drought, lack of prescribed burns, and poor forestry maintenance has increased the risk, the span, and the damage of these fires. They particularly disrupt critical infrastructure, from transportation to communication, air quality, property, crops, resources, animals, and even people. As we approach peak wildfire season (June-August), we must understand wildfire risks and take the proper measures to safeguard our communities.
Understanding Wildfire Risk
Several factors influence wildfire risk, many of which are beyond our control. Understanding the leading factors of wildfires and how to manage your land can help reduce the likelihood of damage in your area.
Weather: Lightning is the most common non-human cause of wildfires. Hot, dry, and windy conditions significantly increase the risk of wildfires. These weather patterns dry out vegetation, making it highly flammable and susceptible to ignition.
Vegetation: Dense underbrush, dead trees, and dry grasses fuel wildfires. The more fuel available, the more intense and widespread a fire can become.
Topography: The landscape can influence how a fire spreads. Fires tend to move faster uphill, while valleys can funnel winds, intensifying the flames.
However, people greatly exacerbate wildfires. According to the Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA), humans are responsible for 90% of wildfire activity, whether from discarded cigarettes, unattended campfires, burning debris, or equipment malfunctions.
Discarded Cigarettes: The Congressional Research Service found that in 2017, wildfires caused by cigarettes resulted in $6 billion of property damage. If you smoke, discard your cigarette in a fire-retardant receptacle, never on the ground.
Campfires: To prevent wildfires, always set up your campfire away from trees, houses, and wind. When done, fully extinguish the fire with water (you’ll know it’s safe when the hissing noise stops).
Vehicles: Worn brakes, hot exhaust pipes, and exposed rims can all generate sparks and cause a fire. Keep up with routine maintenance and always carry a fire extinguisher in your vehicle.
Creating a Defensible Space
Luckily, there are secure measures you can take to protect your property and surrounding community from wildfires. The answer? Defensible spaces—essentially a buffer zone around your home without vegetation to slow fire spread. Not only does this space reduce the likelihood of fire, but it also creates a safer area for firefighters to work if a fire does form. Read on to discover the rules, regulations, and guidelines for creating a safe space around your home.
Zone 1: The Home Ignition Zone (0-5 feet from your home) should be free of flammable materials. Keep this area clear of dead plants, mulch, and other debris.
Zone 2: The Intermediate Zone (5-30 feet from your home) should have plants spaced apart to prevent fire from spreading. Remove dead vegetation and keep grass short.
Zone 3: The Extended Zone (30-100 feet from your home) should include low-growing, fire-resistant plants. Remove heavy accumulations of woody debris and thin out dense shrubs and trees.
The Power of Forestry Mulching
Do you need help creating fire-resistant landscapes around your property? Forestry mulching and Fecon can help. As a refresher, forestry mulching is a land-clearing method that uses a machine to cut, grind, and clear vegetation. This process creates a layer of mulch that can help prevent wildfires in several ways:
Fire Breaks: Mulching reduces the amount of flammable vegetation, creating natural fire breaks that can slow or stop the spread of a wildfire.
Moisture Retention: The mulch layer retains moisture, making it harder for fires to ignite and spread. This moisture retention is particularly beneficial during dry conditions.
Fuel Reduction: By removing underbrush and dead trees, forestry mulching reduces the fuel available for wildfires. This lowers the intensity and speed at which a fire can spread.
Fecon offers forestry mulching tractors, hydraulic mulching heads, and excavator-mounted mulching attachments, which can create firebreaks and defensible zones near inhabited areas. Our durable equipment quickly removes underbrush that can escalate a fire. You can also use these tools to form firebreaks and defensible zones near inhabited areas, ensuring your property is as safe as possible.
Beyond the Fire
Forestry mulching isn’t only for wildfire prevention; it’s a versatile and effective tool that offers numerous benefits for property owners and the environment. Some additional advantages include:
Reduced Smoke Production: With less fuel, fires are less intense and produce less smoke. This can improve air quality and reduce health risks associated with wildfire smoke.
Enhanced Wildlife Habitat: Mulching promotes new growth and biodiversity by allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor, creating healthier habitats for wildlife.
Erosion Control: The mulch layer stabilizes the soil, reducing erosion and runoff, which can be particularly beneficial in hilly or sloped areas.
Learn More About Forestry Mulching from Fecon
Team up with Fecon to ensure you’re prepared for wildfire season. View our range of mulching equipment and services to prevent fires from starting and spreading on your property.
