Fire Preparedness and You, Part 1

With yet another fire in Jamul this weekend it hammers home the fact that we need to be prepared. We were lucky that the fire was quickly contained to 10 acres but as we have seen in the past, we will not always be so lucky. We need to be prepared. I know we have heard this many times; defensible space, fire-resistant plants but what does this actually mean? Here is some useful information from the San Diego County website.

WHAT IS DEFENSIBLE SPACE?
Defensible Space is the area around a structure where combustible vegetation that can spread fire has been cleared, reduced or replaced. This space acts as a barrier between a structure and an advancing fire.

HOW LARGE SHOULD THE DEFENSIBLE SPACE BE?
You need to clear combustible vegetation in a 100-foot radius from any structure. Your local fire agency may require you to clear additional vegetation by a written letter. You are not required to cross your property line in order to clear the 100 feet. The neighboring property owner may be required to clear the additional distance by the fire agency.

HOW DO I MAINTAIN THE DEFENSIBLE SPACE?

•You may plant fire-resistant, irrigated landscaping in the first 50 feet of the 100 feet from your structure. These plants need to be maintained all year around. Note: no irrigated, or non-native landscaping is allowed within an open space easement.
•You need to keep natural vegetation in the remaining 50 feet of the 100 foot space. This would be the area furthest away from your structure. The plants need to be thinned and cut back to no more than 6 inches above the ground.
•You may need to do this several times a year since the plants grow back.
•Do not completely remove all vegetation which would leave the ground bare. Some vegetation is necessary to prevent erosion. When native vegetation is removed for fire control the bare soil is particularly vulnerable to soil erosion.
•Do not remove or disturb the existing plant root system to prevent any future erosion.
•Remove dead and dying vegetation.
•Trim trees that overhang or touch your structures.
•Properly irrigating plants will help prevent plants from igniting. Wildfires rarely occur until after June, because as little as 1 inch of water per month keeps drought adapted plants from readily burning. Permanent irrigation should be confined to landscaping within the first 50 feet of a structure.
•Trees and shrubs can be maintained by deep watering at least once a month for drought tolerant species and once a week for high water requiring plants.

For more information visit http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dplu/fire_resistant.html