Fire season approaching

MOSES LAKE — It’s spring at last - sun, warmer temperatures, longer days. Unfortunately, spring brings with it an increased risk of wildfires, even in early spring.

“We’re starting to have wildland fires and we’re in April. The vegetation is starting to dry out,” said Cpt. Travis Svilar of Grant County Fire District 5.

People whose residences could be vulnerable to wildfire can - and should - take precautions to make their property less susceptible, according to local fire officials.

Grant County Fire District 3 Chief Tony Leibelt said the potential for people to get in the way of a fire has increased as development has pushed further and further into previously undeveloped land. He cited the Wenatchee area as an example, with more homes being developed among stands of trees.

“We don’t have (the same) heavy fuel types, but it’s still an issue. We have lost structures due to wildfire in our district, (though) it’s been a few years,” he said.

A windy day - or night - is no help, Leibelt said.

“It’s about the wind as much as anything,” he said. “When the wind is blowing, the fires are a lot more difficult to control. That applies to structure fires in general, any kind of fire. Anything that’s wind-driven is going to be a challenge,” he said.

Residents can reduce the potential for damage during a wildland fire by taking care of their landscape, a concept that’s been around for a long time called “defensible space.” The goal is to deprive the fire of fuel before it gets to the structures.

“Defensible space around your home is going to be the key factor in property damage,” Svilar said.

And now, he said, is the time to set up that defensible space.

“Going out and mowing your perimeter can help,” Leibelt said. “You want to do that before things really dry up.”

Once it starts to get dry, mowing can hurt rather than help, he said.

“Into late May, into July, your mower is likely to be the ignition point,” Leibelt said. “Mowing when (vegetation is) dry will cause fires. Sparks, (the mower) hits rocks – things like that. Whether it’s a big mower or even a little mower, I’ve seen it with both.”

Leibelt said residents should keep an eye on the cheatgrass as an indicator.

“Once the cheatgrass starts turning purple, that’s the time to get out there and start shortening up around your house,” he said.

Svilar said controlled burns are another way to remove old grass and weeds. But people should contact the local fire district or fire department first to find out what is and isn’t allowed in their area, he said. Some jurisdictions have restrictions on burning yard debris.

The Firewise program from the National Fire Protection Agency recommends that people divide the area around the house and outbuildings into three zones, the first zone being within five feet of the building. The second zone is five to 30 feet out, and the third is 30 to 100 feet away.

The potential for shrubs or trees to burn depends on the variety, and some are more flammable than others. The Washington Department of Natural Resources has a link to a guide to fire-resistant plants on its website, www.dnr.wa.gov, under the “defensible space” tab.

Fire resistant, of course, does not mean fireproof. So people should analyze their properties when planning the landscape around their houses and outbuildings, taking into account the types of plants and the configuration of their property.

Residents also can take precautions to make the buildings themselves less susceptible to wildfire. Fire-resistant roofing materials or a new roof made of fire-resistant materials, and siding from fire-resistant materials are recommended.

Cheryl Schweizer may be reached at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.

Home Ignition Zones

Information courtesy Firewise

Immediate zone: 0 to 5 feet from the house

Intermediate zone: 5 to 30 feet from the house

Extended zone: 30 to 100 feet from the house

Fire-resistant plants are recommended around buildings in areas prone to wildfire, and property owners should remove extra fuel from around the perimeter of homes and outbuildings.