Preventing Fire Damage From Forest Fires

One of the biggest tasks facing emergency services at the start of each summer is the work involved in preventing fire damage. One of the biggest causes of fire damage to the forest is lightning strike. As such there is no way to avoid the ignition of a wildfire from lightning strike, but there are preventative measures to limit the damage the resultant fire can cause.

As a resident living in rural or forested areas, there are measures you can take to limit the fire damage that can be caused from a forest fire and to lower the risk that the fire will also claim your home.

Clear flammable materials away from the outside of the house. Create a buffer zone that can be classed as a defensive zone and make it at least 30 feet wide. This zone will give your house a chance to survive a passing fire and will also give fire fighters space to work.

Landscape the garden with fire resistant materials. Putting in a lush lawn or a rock garden will act as a good fuel break. A thatch-roof pergola wouldn’t be such a good idea in areas that are prone to bushfires.

If there are trees surrounding the house within the 30 foot defensive zone should be kept well pruned, particularly branches that may reach towards the house.

If you have a wood-fired fireplace for heating in the winter months make sure the firewood is stored well away from the house and not up against one of the walls.

Gutters and roofs should be kept clear of debris such as leaves or pine needles. A single spark from a bushfire can ignite any rubbish sitting in the gutters.

Ensure that there is always easy access to the house and yard in case emergency vehicles need to pass.

Sometimes there is no way to avoid your house succumbing to fire damage during a raging bushfire. Because of that you should already have a coherent emergency plan for evacuation so that you can leave as quickly as possible if necessary. It’s always possible to restore the damage of a fire, getting caught in the fire yourself can easily result in death.

If fire strikes, you may need to use these Fire Damage Cleanup Tips.