FEMA Region 2 Preparedness Tips

Prevent Wildfires

Only you can prevent wildfires. While at home or on camping trips, follow these important safety tips.

CAMPING

• DO NOT build a campfire in hazardous, dry conditions.

• If there is not an existing fire pit, and pits are allowed, choose a site at least 15 feet from tent walls, shrubs, trees or other flammable objects. Beware of low-hanging branches.

• Choose an open, level location away from heavy fuels such as logs, brush or decaying leaves.

• Take wind, and its direction, into account when choosing the site. Choose a spot that’s protected from gusts.

Backyard Debris Burning

• Check the conditions. Don’t burn when it’s windy or when vegetation is very dry.

• You can burn dry, natural vegetation, grown on the property, unless prohibited by local ordinances. Household trash, plastic or tires are not good to burn and are illegal to burn in some areas. Check your local ordinances.

• Choose a safe burning site away from powerlines, overhanging limbs, buildings, vehicles, and equipment. You’ll need at least three times the height of the pile of vertical clearance. The site should be surrounded by gravel or mineral soil (dirt) at least 10 feet in all directions. Keep the surroundings watered down during the burn and have a shovel close by.

• Keep your piles small and manageable. Add additional debris as the fire burns down.

• Always stay with your fire until it is completely out. Drown the fire with water, turn over the ashes with a shovel and drown it again. Repeat several times.

Prepare Your Home

More and more people make their homes in areas that are prone to wildfires. You can take steps to be ready for a wildfire and prepare your home and landscaping to reduce your risk from a wildfire. Help protect your home and stop the spread of wildland fires by following these steps:

• Keep flammable objects (lawn mowers, oil or gas cans, propane tanks and wood piles) at least 30 feet away from the home at all times. Move flammables, such as lawn furniture and toys, during wildfire activity.

• Keep roofs, gutters, decks and patios clear of leaves, pine needles or other flammables at all times.

• Remove flammable mulch and vegetation within 5 feet of the home and replace with nonflammable material.

• Remove tree or shrub branches that overhang within 10 feet of your house, roof or chimney.

• Keep lawns watered and mowed, or if water-conserving, make sure debris is removed within 30 feet of home.

• Trim tree limbs 10 feet above the ground (these are called ladder fuels).

• Install 1/8-inch metal mesh screens over vents and under decks to prevent ember intrusion.

Remember Smokey Bear says #OnlyYou can prevent wildfires! 

For more tips on how to prepare, visit Ready.gov.