WILDFIRE PROTECTION GEORGIA FORESTRY ~ ~ (;~) R1I~~"<:::> FOR HOMEOWNERS & DEVELOPERS A GUIDE TO BUILDING AND LIVING FIRE SAFE IN THE WILDLANDS INTRODUCTION YOUR WILDLAND DREAM HOME IS IN PERIL For most people, a home in the wildlands represents a peaceful contrastto fast-paced city life, providing an opportunity to maintain a job in the city while enjoying the aesthetics of a country home. The movement of people from city dwellings to residences in wildland settings is one that has become a national trend, beginning an upward movement in the 1960's and continuing through the present decade. For many, a wildland home has become a dream come true. The natural setting of the wildland affords an opportunity for an attractive lifestyle but with homes built primarily for aesthetic values and economic considerations without regard to fire protection. These homes, placed in rural wildland settings in which fire is a natural part of the ecology, are in peril. Homeowners can find their dream home turning into a nightmare when wildland fires occur. A quick review of past fires throughout the Western United States shows all too many common denominators contributing to major loss of homes and property, loss of lives, injuries, destruction of natural resources and adverse effect on wildlife habitat and water resources. The East Bay Hills Fire of October, 1991, set in the hillside residential area above the city of Oakland, is one of the most dramatic wildland fire disasters reminding us that at any time and from any direction, a wildland fire can move swiftly through a neighborhood, destroying the homes and lives of many. Though located in what many consider primarily a municipal setting, that fastmoving fire was responsible for the deaths of 25 persons and 150 injuries. It burned more than 1,600 acres and destroyed 3,354 homes (790 homes were destroyed in the first hour alone). One home was burned every 11 seconds during the first 10 hours of the East Bay Hills Fire! The same area had experienced the loss of 37 homes to wildland fire in 1970, and 600 homes in 1923. A small sampling of fires since 1970 shows the loss from wildland fires across the United States is staggering: ffi October, 1970. Romero Canyon Fire, Santa Barbara County, California. 16,000 acres burned, 100 homes and structures destroyed. Four persons killed, one serious burn injury. May, 1985 Palm Coast Fire, Florida.1 00 homes destroyed, 400 damaged. ffi July, 1989. Black Tiger Fire, Boulder, Colorado. 2,100 acres burned, 44 homes and structures destroyed. ffi May, 1990. Stephan Bridge Road Fire, Michigan. 5,916 acres burned, 191 homes and structures destroyed. One person injured. -i- The common denominators of these fires include poor access for emergency vehicles; heat, dry conditions, wind; sloping topography; a buildup of wildland trees, shrubs and other vegetation; lack of defensible space around homes; inadequate and narrow roads hampering access by emergency vehicles and evacuation by homeowners; use of combustible construction materials; wood shake shingle roofs; and low humidity. While there is little humans can do to control natural occurring fires from such sources as lighting, many of these common denominators could have been eliminated through subdivision or individual home construction planning and defensible space activities around homes and structures. Many of the losses which have occurred from wildland fires could have been minimized or avoided had relatively simple steps and precautions been taken. Historically, nature's method for "cleaning" wildland and forest floor areas has been natural fire through such ignition sources as lightning. These low intensity fires, moving primarily through ground level vegetation and debris, removed heavy accumulations of dead and dying vegetation or fuels, and reduced the continuity of thick vegetation growth. This natural process reduced fire "fuel loading" of an area, thus decreasing the threat of catastrophic fires which move through forested areas and intensify into "crown fires" moving through tree tops, as well as fast-moving ground fires covering thousands of acres in a very short time. Modern technology has helped make fire fighting very efficient, keeping natural, low intensity fires to a minimum. The absence of this type of fire results in heavy accumulations of trees and vegetation in some areas, which pose a serious wildland fire threat to homes and other developments in wildland/urban interface areas as well as to natural resources, water quality, livestock grazing lands and wildlife habitat. By following the steps outlined in this booklet, homeowners and developers can take the steps necessary to defend against the ravages of fire as full-partners in fire prevention. -ii- TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1. Building Your Home 1 Location...Access...Driveway Design ...Water... Building-Remodeling ... Landscaping 2. Defensible Space 2 Landscape Maintenance... Fire Resistant Plants & Trees... Ground Cover...Precautions 3. Fire Safety Inside Your Home 11 Smoke Detectors... Fire Extinguishers...Home Sprinkler Systems...Plan Your Escape...Heating Safety... Precautions 4. Wildfire Survival 17 Preparing To Evacuate...Outside Your Home... lnside Your Home...When You Leave...If You Plan To Stay... After The Fire Passes 5. Developing A Subdivision 21 Built-In Fuel Breaks...Road Design ...Location ... Electric Service...Water Supplies...Solid Waste Disposal... Fire Protection For New Developments 6. Assistance Is Available 26 -iii- 1. BUILDING YOUR HOME There are a number of elements that can be included in home construction and landscape plans to increase the firesafe potential of homes built in wildland areas while maintaining the quality of life and providing for esthetically pleasing architecture and site development. Before planning your new home in the wildlands, be sure to contact your local officials to check state regulations and local ordinances for legal firesafe requirements. LOCATION The location of your home is one of the critical firesafe elements that must be considered, especially when it is in a hilly or mountainous area. Some areas are more firesafe than others. Be sure to contact local officials to determine the type of local fire protection available and its limits. A home high on a peak may offer a spectacular view, but may also be impossible for heavy fire equipment to reach. Avoid building in a natural draw or swale. Homes located in natural chimneys, such as narrow canyons and saddles, are especially fire-prone because wind is funneled into them. This accelerates the rate of spread of a fire by forming an uphill draft. Locate your home on the most level portion of the site with an adequate setback. Fire spreads at a remarkably faster rate as slope increases. Even SLOPE minor grades, such as 10 percent, can accelerate the spread of wildfire and push it into the path of your home. Homes located on narrow ridges, without adequate setback, are often destroyed in wildland fires because flames and convection heat hit the home directly. Homes located on the slope itself, especially stilt and cantilevered homes, are particularly vulnerable to wildland fires. INADEQUATE SETBACK Homes built at the top ofa slope need a minimum setback of100 feet with and additiona130feetfordefensible space. Inadequate setback, homes on stilts over slopes or decks extending over slopes are more likely to ignite from wildland fire. -1- 12% Maximum For Roads 5% Maximum For Side Slopes GOOD ACCESS IS CRITICAL One of the most crucial elements in wildland home construction planning is good access design which is critical to the ability of firefighters to protect your home in the event of a wildland fire. An alternate escape route is needed if one route is threatened by fire. Roads should be designed wide enough to allow two-way traffic, parking lanes, and road side trips providing easy access in for large pieces of fire equipment while at the same time allowing for evacuation if needed. Design cul-de-sacs to allow large fire trucks to turn around, preferably without having to back up. Minimum radius for firefighting equipment is 45 feet. Design roads with a gradient less than 12 percent, even for short pitches. Design roads with side-slopes or out-slopes less than 5 percent. If the road is to be used in winter, side slope should not exceed 2 percent. DRIVEWAY DESIGN Provide a loop or U-shaped driveway into your home site. This provides additional access for fire fighting equipment, and an alternate escape route for you. Use road names and numbers that are clearly visible from the road day or night from a distance of 150 feet in any direction of travel. With only a block and lot number, firefighters may waste valuable time trying to find you. Design your driveway to be wide enough to allow access for large fire fighting equipment. Firejighting equipmentmay notbe able to get in andyou may not be able to get out if roadways and driveways are designed and built too narrow.. -2- IS WATER AVAILABLE? Your domestic water needs are quite different than those needed to fight a fire in your home or in wildland areas. Is there sufficient water available for both needs on site including well, storage and large pump? If fire hydrants are not provided by a developer, are there alternative water supply sources available for fire protection? Water systems might include filled cisterns ready for use by fire service personnel only; standpipes or fire hydrants within a development; or wells with high volume pumps. Develop access to water sites for fire apparatus allowing them to get within 16 feet of the water supply. Such sites may include ponds, swimming pools, streams and creeks, lakes, etc. Clearly identify access to these sites with signs. Consider installation of a dry fire hydrant system for a lake or pond with clear access for fire apparatus to allow for quick hook-up and water delivery in the event of a fire. Your local fire department can assist you with design criteria for these systems. Provide single-family homes with water supply mains that are a minimum diameter of one-inch. Plumb garden hose outlets on the exterior of the structure and locate standpipes at least 50-feet from the building. This will permit hose-stream protection for all sides of the building. Provide an operating pressure of at least 50-pounds per square-inch. Protect exterior water outlets from freezing. If you plan on a well for water supply, service the pump with an electric supply that is separate from the house. This will assure a water supply even if the house is burning. Consider the addition of an auxiliary power supply such as agasoline-driven engine to power the pump in remote areas where the main electric power line could be involved in a wildland fire. Locate auxiliary power supply sources in a separate facility away from the main house structure. GATE ACCESS EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLIES -3- BUILDING OR REMODELING YOUR HOME By planning firesafe features into your new home con- . struction, remodeling of your existing home, or one i~ you are about to purchase, to incorporate these features can help reduce the risk your home faces in the event of a wildland fire. The materials you use on the exterior of your home can make a difference should a wildland fire occur. Brick and stucco resist fire better than wood. A general rule is that thicker siding materials are more fire resistant. If your home has a wood exterior, it is critical that the firesafe practices outlined in this booklet be followed. Extend the fire-resistant materials of all exterior walls from ground level to roof line. Be sure to enclose the undersides of balconies and decks with fire resistive materials. These areas are especially susceptible to trapping flames and burning embers from wildland fires which can ignite your home. The wood shingle roof is one of the common denominators in loss of structures in wildland fires. The roof is the most vulnerable part of your house, providing areas in which wind-blown sparks and burning embers can be trapped. One of the most important steps you can take is to build your new home, or re-roof your existing home with fire SCREEN CHIMNEYS USE FIRE RESISTIVE ROOF COVERING MATERIALS ENCLOSE UNDERSIDES OF BALCONIES AND DECKS -4- DANGER TIMES TEN* WATCH OUT: TROUBLE IN PARADISE! 1. Untreated wood shake roof 2. Home located on a slope 3. Wood deck facing slope 4. Large glass windows facing slope 5. Unprotected louvers in front 6. Firewood stored too close to home 7. Inadequate weed clearance 8. Tree limbs overhanging roof 9. Chimney spark arrestor missing 10. No access for emergency vehicles resistive or non-combustible materials. There are a number of attractive alternatives available to wood shingle roofs. Many people believe that a sprinkler placed on a wood shake roof can prevent it from catching fire. Realistically, such measures offer only a false sense of security. Large volumes of water would be required at a time when loss of water pressure can be expected. And, wind and heat can dissipate the amount of water expended in this manner preventing any effective extinguishment from sprinklers placed on the roof. Roof eaves that extend beyond the exterior walls of your home are also susceptible to exposure to flames and should be limited in length, boxed, or enclosed with fire resistive materials. Be sure openings, such as attic or ridge vents, are covered with a non-flammable screen with a mesh of at least one-quarter- inch to prevent easy entry of flaming embers and sparks. Orient exterior attack and under-floor vents away from possible fire corridors. Be sure to screen unenclosed, under-floor areas. Every chimney and stovepipe must be covered by a non-flammable screen with a mesh no larger than half-an-inch. Wind-blown burning debris and radiated heat present a threat to homes with large glass window areas. Limit the size and number of windows in your home that face large areas of vegetation. Use dual-paned windows and sliding glass doors to reduce the potential of breakage from wind-blown debris and radiated heat which can ignite furnishings within your home from as far away as 30 feet. Many fires are ignited by overhead electrical lines leading from the main power line to the house. Install these lines underground whenever possible. If this is not possible, trim all tree limbs back at least 1a-feet from electrical lines and service installations. ~l'U~ ! .f \,...". F' ~.."."t.h".... ,','"'1 FIRESAFE LANDSCAPING You can modify wildland fire intensity and behavior through landscaping plans that include patterns of fire resistive vegetation and safe zones created by stone walls, patios, swimming pools, decks and driveway or roadway areas. Many of the native plants that grow naturally in your area are highly flammable during the summer and can accelerate the spread of a wildland fire, causing it to move through your neighborhood and igniting your home. Removing flammable native vegetation and replacing it with low-growing, fire resistive plants is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help protect your home and begin design of a defensible space. When planning for your landscape, establish islands of plants or plant groups which effectively break up continuity of vegetation. This can assist in modification of wildland fire behavior and slow the spread of fire through your property to your home. -5- Select landscape vegetation based on fire resistance and ease of maintenance, as well as visual enhancement of your home and property. Generally, fire resistive plants: ~.. } f - = 0' r., " ( ~ r _ _ _ _ _- - - - \ J f I - - J O'OQ~ ~"~'::;~~1;,i~111/11~"1 ~C~ .. *Grow close to the ground *Have a low sap or resin content *Grow without accumulating dead branches, needles or leaves *Are easily maintained and pruned *Are, in many cases, drought-tolerant Your local fire protection agency or local nursery can provide listings of those fire resistive plants adapted to your local climate. Stay away from unsafe ornamental landscaping plants, such as junipers, which may actually increase the fire risk to your home. 2. DEFENSIBLE SPACE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE Defensible space refers to that area between a house and an oncoming wildland fire where the vegetation has been modified to reduce the wildfire threat and which provides an opportunity for firefighters to safely defend the house. It is a key area which can make the difference between a house surviving a wildland fire or being destroyed. Many of the basic elements of a good defensible space plan are already in place if you have included the suggestions outlined in this booklet in your home and landscape construction or remodeling plans. However, landscape maintenance is a key element in overall good defensible space programs for homes in wildland areas. All vegetation, including naturally occurring native plants and introduced species utilized in residential landscape plans, is a potential fuel to feed a wildland fire. The type, amount, and arrangement of vegetation available for burning has a dramatic effect on fire behavior. If vegetation is properly modified, a wildland fire can be slowed down, the length of the flames shortened, and the amount of heat reduced, all of which contribute to the survival of a house in a wildfire. _,~_!l,.~ _ ..--:r -6- There are basically Three R's In the modification offuels orvegetation for defensible space: Removal: This technique involves the elimination of entire plants, particularly trees and shrubs from the site. Examples of removal would be the cutting down of a dead tree or the cutting out of a flammable shrub. Reduction: The removal of plant parts, such as branches or leaves, would constitute reduction. Examples of reduction modification are pruning wood from a shrub, removing low tree branches, and mowing dried grass. Replacement: Replacement is the substitution of less flammable plants for more hazardous vegetation. For example, removal of a dense stand of flammable shrubs and planting an irrigated, well maintained flower bed would be a type of replacement modification. EXISTING REMOVAL f1, .1L .Il. AtJ REDUCll0N fM . . . . . . . . .A~ REPLACEMENT ~ ..:ae-....;~ COMBINATION (\ '&._-~~'~~--.6-41--l'!r.< By establishing slope percentage, you can determine the distance in each direction from your house in which some form of modification of vegetation must take place in order to provide a good defensible space zone. Once you have determined distances, mark your zones using construction flagging, ribbon or similar material tied to shrubs, tree branches or stakes. The area necessary to create an effective defensible space may exceed the limits of your property, however. Be sure to determine adjacent' property boundaries and ownership. Do not implement defensible space concepts on adjacent property without first securing written permission of the property owner. Within the marked area establish graduated defensible space zones by following the Three R's of vegetation or fuels modification by following these 7 steps: 1. Determine the amount of defensible space necessary, property boundaries and ownership of adjacent parcels. 2. Evaluate the area surrounding your home in terms of being a defensible space. Are there any dead fuels, such as dead trees and shrubs, dead branches lying on the ground, yellowed and dried grasses and forbs or brown needles present? Is there a continuous horizontal layer of vegetation through which wildland fire could spread? If so, create a separation between shrubs by removing every other shrub or, create islands or groups of shrubs with wide separations between them. -7- 3. Develop a plan for correcting the problems identified during step No.2, coordinate with adjacent land owners if necessary, and incorporate existing formal landscape features. 4. Secure necessary permits and have trees marked for removal by a qualified forester{if applicable). When removing vegetation, do so in a manner which will result in a minimum of soil disturbance. Remove dead trees. It is not necessary to remove all small trees, which represent the next generation of mature trees in forest and wildland areas. Thin out crowded groups of small trees and aim for a uniform distribution. Leave a variety of age classes or sizes of small trees and a mixture of different species for diversification. Elimi-nate ladder fuels which can provide a step up from ground fires into tree crown fires by removing lower tree branches at least six-feet in height from Defensible Space Distance From House Per Slope Percentage Adapted From 'Wildland Home Fire Risk Meter,' Simmeran and Fisher 1990 PERCENT SLOPE Uphill Sides Downhill Level to 20% 100 Feet 100 Feet 100 Feet 21% to 40% 150 Feet 150 Feet 200 Feet 41% to 60% 200 Feet 200 Feet *Distances Refer To Direction of Slope From The House 400 Feet . Recommended Defensible Space Distances For A 30-Percent Slope ~ UPHILL DISTANCE 150 Ft. SIDEDISTANCE 150 Ft. tn I SIDE DISTANCE 150 Ft. ~DOWNHILL DISTANCE A 200Ft. -8- the ground. Prune shrubs to a minimum two-feet in height. Homes situated in more dense wildland settings may require different application. Check with your local fire protection agency for guidance in development of defensible space around your home. 5. Implement the plan devel- oped in step No.3. 6. Remove all slash generated I by fuel modification efforts as soon I as possible. Utilize a chipper to chip The arrangement of the trees that make up the fuel surrounding your woody slash material which can then home have different properties that can affect fire protection and the be used as mulch in home landscape most effective safety zone around your home. 1. This tree has been plans. Suitable wood can be saved trimmed so that no branches are close to the ground. 2. This small and used for firewood. Slash can be tree is close to the ground and can be more easily ignited from hauled to landfills which accept it either burning grasses and low growing plants. 3. Small trees and plants by property owners, sanitation depart- growing underneath trees provide ladder fuels, which allow grass ments when allowed, and by private fires to jump to the branches of the larger trees and spread even more contractors. If a permit has been ob- tained and if done according to fire and air quality regulations, slash piles can be burned. Be sure to contact your local fire protection agency for burning permit requirements and information. 7. Maintain your defensible space on a routine basis. FIRE RESISTANT PLANT SPECIES There are no fireproof plant species, so choice of plants, spacing and maintenance are crucial elements in any defensible space landscaping plan and when replacing natural vegetation. Some plants are much less likely to burn than others. In general, plants that are green and well irrigated burn slowly when ignited. The following includes various species and how they can be used to improve fire safety by incorporating them in your landscape and defensible space plans. This list should not be considered all-inclusive. Be sure to check with your local fire protection agency or local nursery for fire resistive plants that are suited to your specific weather conditions. GROUND COVER Replace bare spaces and weedy patches near your home with ground covers, incl~ding t~rf (when irrigated, turf can provide an effective firebreak), perennial flower beds, vegetable gardens, fire resistant clump grasses and mulches. Herbaceous perennials and annuals also require irrigation. These species include low growing or spreading plants like seedums. sempervivum, vinca, wheat grass, tall fescue. marigold, zienna. strawberries, clover and others. Mulch helps control erosion. conserve moisture, and reduce weed growth. It can be organic, such as straw. c?mpost, leaf mold, bark chips, shredded leaves. or lawn clippings; or it can be inor~anic, including plastic materials. gravel, rock, and decomposed granite. Avoid using pine bark and thick layers of pine needles. Theyte~d to smol?er and are difficult to extinguish. Additional information on mulches is available from the Cooperative ExtenSion Service. -9- PERENNIALS Choose hardy perennial flowers that are adapted to the climate. These green, leafy, succulent plants are harder to burn. Irrigation and regular weeding improves the fire resistance of flax, low sage, shasta daisy, pinks, giallardia, daylilly, candytuft. iris, lupin, primrose, poppy, dusty miller, lambs ears and others. SHRUBS Some deciduous shrubs can be used in foundation plantings if maintained, watered and well spaced. Evergreens such as dwarf conifers and junipers tend to ignite easily; avoid them unless well spaced. Place them at least 20 feet from any structure and prune regularly. If maintained, hedge rows can deflect wind and filter wind-blown embers. Plant continuous deciduous hedges at least 30 feet from your home only if you will irrigate and remove dead branches regularly. Fire resistant shrubs include hedging roses, bush honeysuckles, currant, cotoneaster, sumac and shrub apples. TREES Deciduous trees can be clumped. scattered, or planted in greenbelts or windbreak patterns. Evergreen trees tend to ignite easily and should be avoided unless well spaced. Selection of trees is not as important as placement. Inside the yard, space trees at least 30 feet apart and prune to a height of 8-1 0 feet. Crowns should not touch and branches should not overhang your house. Reduce combustible material under and between trees. Large areas or difficult sites may require professional assistance. A well designed deciduous windbreak can slow or even stop a fire before it reaches structures. Plant windbreak trees no more than 10 feet apart and at least five times the mature tree height from the area to be protected, or 100 feet. Plant on flat areas or at the base of slopes. Fast growing trees require frequent irrigation to keep them healthy. Maples, poplars, willows all require moist root zones to remain fire resistant. ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS There are a number of precautions that should be taken in order to make your defensible space program work. These can be accomplished as part of your regular maintenance program: o Remove dead tree limbs over-hanging your roof and any limbs within 15 feet of your chimney. o Stack firewood and scrap wood piles at least 30 feet from any structure. And, clear away any flammable vegetation within 10 feet of these wood piles. Many homes have survived as a fire moved past, only to burn later from a wood pile that ignited after fire- fighters moved on to protect other homes. ~illl o Locate liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks and any fuel stor- f"~ b,6 ~~~~ age containers at least 30 feet from " ~h~ ~~~ ~" ~ '/- ..~. ~'"1~'o ~tl any structure. Clear flammable ~ ~ , ~ vegetation at least 10 feet around _..,.JU such tanks . -10- o Clear pine needles, leaves or other debris from the roof of your house and any other buildings on your property. Check and clean the roof and rain gutters several times during the spring, summer and fall to remove this debris which can easily ignite from a spark. o Incinerators or burning barrels, used to dispose of burnable household debris, are illegal in many areas. If they are allowed, a permit is generally required for their use. Check with your local fire protection agency for applicable laws and ordinances. o Use of outdoor cooking equipment has started a number of serious fires. Equip permanently installed fireplaces with a screen over the outlet and a method of controlling indraft. Clear at least 5 feet of flammable material around fireplaces, and trim overhanging limbs to wtihin 15 feet. o Properly dispose of woodstove, fireplace ashes and barbecue briquets. Place them in a closed metal container located outside of the residence in a safe place cleared of flammable vegetation, or douse them in a bucket of water. 3. FIRE SAFETY INSIDE YOUR HOME 'It won't happen to us!' A few simple precautions can also help keep your family safe from the devastation of a fire in your home and prevent the spread of fire from your home into the wildlands and threatening your neighbors. Because we feel safest in our homes, a false sense of security prevails and we often develop an attitude that fire or other disaster won't happen. Killer fires occur daily across the nation, striking the young, old, infirm, strong, rich, poor. ..it is completely indiscriminate. Most killer fires occur in residences, and more than 50 percent at night when people are asleep, making smoke detectors an essential element in home fire protection. a .... SMOKE DETECTORS Smoke detectors have saved many lives and may save yours. If a fire starts while your family is asleep, smoke detectors will wake you up. They can make the difference between life and death in a fire emergency in your home. Before purchasing a smoke detector, make sure it is listed and approved by an independent testing laboratory such as Factory Mutual Research Corp. or Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Always follow manufacturer's instructions for placement and operation of smoke detectors. Generally, position smoke detectors on the ceiling just outside each bedroom. If -11- you have a multi-level home, install a detector on every level. If you sleep with your bedroom door closed, place an additional detector inside your bedroom. Be sure to test your smoke detector each month, and change its batteries at least twice a year. A good habit to follow is to change the batteries in your smoke detectors in the spring and fall when you change your clocks. PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS Portable fire extinguishers can save lives and property by helping you put out or contain small fires until the fire department arrives. Fire extinguishers must be used properly and under the right conditions. When purchasing fire extinguishers for your home, make sure they are listed and approved by an independent testing laboratory. Know the capabilities of your extinguishers and for which type of fire they are designed. Portable fire extinguishers are identified on their label by the type of fire on which they can be used: *A wood or cloth fires *8 flammable liquid fires *C electrical fires *0 flammable metal fires Make sure each member of your family can hold and operate the fire extinguisher and knows where it is located. An easy to remember method of teaching family members howto operate your extinguisher is to remember P-A-S-S: Pull the safety pin Aim the extinguisher Squeeze the trigger Sweep the extinguisher at the base of the fire Be sure extinguishers are mounted in easy to find and get to places. Remember, fire extinguishers require annual maintenance and must be recharged after each use. Extinguishers properly serviced and maintained by a company licensed by the State Fire Marshal should display a tag indicating when the next service is due. HOME SPRINKLER SYSTEMS Home sprinkler systems are one of the most reliable and effective forms of protection from fire in the home because they provide an immediate response to extinguish the fire. They also can extinguish a fire when you are asleep or when your are away. Home sprinkler systems can pay forthemselves in just a few years through reduced insurance premiums or discounts. Such systems are relatively inexpensive and can be installed with concealed sprinkler heads to compliment interior decoration and design. Your local fire protection agency will be glad to discuss the type of home sprinkler system that will provide protection for your home. PLAN YOUR ESCAPE! It is important that all family members know what to do in an emergency. Even with an early warning from a smoke detector, escaping a fire can be difficult or impossible. Fire can spread very rapidly, blocking exits and creating dangerous, smoky conditions. Smoke is your enemy! Even a few breaths of smoke and toxic gases can choke and kill you. -12- With family planning and practicing exit drills in the home, you can better prepare your family for a fire emergency: o Be sure every family member knows how to use the telephone to contact your local fire protection agency. Family members should know your address and convey that to the emergency dispatcher when called. Post emergency telephone numbers for fire, police and ambulance on or near telephones. o Decide on a meeting place outside the home where the family can assemble to make sure everyone is out. Keep the meeting place consistent. Inform neighbors of your family meeting place. Once out of the house, do not re-enter until the fire department has said it is safe to do so. o Train family members to help the very young, elderly or disabled from their rooms in the event of an emergency. Locate their sleeping rooms as close to an exit as possible. o Draw a floor plan of your home and mark all possible escape routes. Make sure you know two safe ways out of every room in the house, especially the bedrooms. o Practice your escape! Conduct home fire drills often. Vary the drill to prepare family members for different fire emergency situations. Practice with blindfolds because in a real fire, dense smoke may blind you. o Teach family members to feel the door with the back side of their hand before leaving the room. If it is hot, don't open it. Use your second way out. o Remind everyone to close doors behind them as they evacuate the house to slow down the spread of fire, smoke and heat. o If heat, flames or smoke block both of your escape routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Use sheets, blankets or towels stuffed in cracks around the door and around heating and air conditioning vents to keep smoke and fumes out of the room. o As long as no smoke is entering the room, you may open a window briefly for air or to call for help. Hang a bright sheet or other bright colored cloth out the window to signal for help. 0 Don't panic! WINDOW KITCHEN DOOR DINING ROOM BATH ROOM J I L -.,~---I LIVING ROOM I DEN BED ROOM BED ROOM I WINDOW WINDOW WINDOW MEETING PLACE -13- o If you become trapped in smoke, crawl low and keep your head down. Smoke and heat rise, so cleaner, cooler air is near the floor. o If your clothes catch fire: STOP, DROP AND ROLLI DROP WARM UP SAFELY Many homes in wildland areas depend upon fuel-fired heaters, woodstoves or fireplaces for heat. While commonly used, these devices are also a major contributing factor in residential fires. Many of these fire can be prevented by following a few simple rules. Be sure woodstoves and chimneys are installed according to manufacturer's directions and in accordance with local building codes. Woodstoves should have adequate clearance from combustible surfaces, and proper floor support and protection. Be sure the woodstove is of good quality construction and design before purchasing. Never use flammable liquids to start or accelerate a fire in a woodstove or fireplace. Keep a glass or metal screen in front of fireplace openings to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out. These devices also help keep children from going in. Keep flammable materials, such as newspapers, kindling, throw rugs, blankets, furniture, at least 36 inches from woodstoves, heaters and fireplaces. Keep flammable materials away from your mantel. Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide. If you use synthetic logs, follow directions on the package. Never break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire, or use more than one log at a time. Such logs often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide. Don't use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplaces or woodstoves. It is possible to ignite creosote in the chimney by the fire. Don't use colored paper which can accelerate creosote buildup. Creosote is the product of incomplete combustion. While some woods and some woodstoves create more creosote than others, all wood and woodstoves produce creosote. Burning wood slowly for long periods of time contributes to soot and creosote buildup. By opening the air inlets or the woodstove door and -14- allowing the wood to burn freely for 10-15 minutes several times a week, the buildup of creosote can be reduced. Use dry wood that burns efficiently and does not contribute to creosote buildup. Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. Never close your damper With hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the home. Be sure kerosene or other fuel-fired heaters are approved by an independent testing laboratory. Be sure the heater has an emergency shut off in case it is tipped over. Always follow manufacturer instructions when using these devices. Be sure the heater is in good working condition. Regularly inspect exhaust parts for carbon build up. Use only the fuel recommended for the device by the manufacturer. Never introduce a fuel into a unit not designed for that type of fuel. Never use fuel-fired appliances without proper room venting (kerosene, coal and propane can produce deadly fumes). Keep all flammable liquids and heater fuels stored in approved metal containers in a well ventilated area outside of the house. Fill heaters outside the house. Never fill heaters while they are in operation or hot. Avoid overfilling. Use caution with cold fuel which may expand in the tank as it warms up. Keep children away from heaters, especially when they are wearing loose clothing or nightgowns which can be easily ignited. Be sure to keep heaters away from beds and bedding at night to avoid these items catching fire from radiated heat. Have chimneys inspected and cleaned annually. Make sure the entire stove and chimney pipe are inspected and cleaned more than once a year. Only one spark is needed to set off a creosote chimney fire which can spread to your roof, attic or nearby trees. Keep firewood stacked at least 30 feet from the house. A red stovepipe, roaring, sucking sounds, shaking stovepipes and flames out of the top of the chimney are all indications of a chimney fire. Call the fire department first! Close drafts and make sure everyone leaves the house until the fire department arrives. Have your chimney, stove or fireplace checked by a professional after any chimney fire to check for damage to your system or your home. OTHER PRECAUTIONS Prevent electrical fires by keeping appliances clean and well-maintained. If appliances are not working correctly, have them repaired. When purchasing electrical appliances or tools, be sure they have been tested and approved by an independent testing laboratory. Don't overload electricaJ outlets or extension cords. Use the proper size and amperage fuse in fuse panels. If a fuse blows, try to determine the cause. If an overloaded circuit appears to be the problem, eliminate an appliance from that circuit. Be sure to replace the fuse with a proper size and amperage fuse. -15- Water and electricity do not mix! Make sure your hands are dry and don't stand on a wet floor or rug when using appliances. Keep electrical appliances used in the bathroom away from standing water, sinks, etc. If an appliance should get wet, have it serviced before using it again. Make sure appliances such as televisions, radios, stereo equipment, VCR equipment, have air space around them to prevent overheating. Be sure to have your television inspected or serviced if it is not working properly. It could be a fire hazard. Remember, even though appliances have on-off switches, electric current runs to the switch at all times. If you do not use an appliance often, don't leave it plugged in. If you have small children at home, install plug covers into outlets that are not being used to prevent children from placing metal and other objects into them. Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children. Hot stove burners and elements and ovens can also be responsible for fires. Always wear clothes with tight fitting sleeves when cooking and never leave cooking unattended. Never leave pot-holders or cooking mittens on the stove and turn pot handles in so they cannot be pulled down or knocked off the stove by children. Keep a fire extinguisher handy in the kitchen. Make sure it is for use on fires most likely to occur in the kitchen (grease fires, trash, etc.) If you have a grease fire while cooking use your extinguisher or try to smother the flames by covering the pan with the lid, and turn off the burner. Do not pour water on a grease fire! Use your fire extinguisher to put out the fire. Baking soda can also be used to help put the fire out. .. ~ ~ T Keep your oven and stove clean to prevent grease accumulations and old food from catching fire. Have your home heating appliances checked and serviced at least annually. Do not store gasoline in your home or basement. Be sure that gasoline and other flammable liquids such as thinners, paints, etc., are stored in labeled metal containers outside. Don't store flammable liquids near appliances with a pilot light or near heat. I "" II ~~I ~~ .~ , "'\ 1-....- ~ --. Keep work areas clean, and do not accumulate oily rags which can start fires through spontaneous combustion. Sort and remove trash from the house. Do not store old newspapers, trash or rubbish near appliances with a pilot light or near heat. Keep all storage neat and orderly. When refueling outdoor gasoline appliances, such as lawn mowers, weed mowers, etc., allow them to cool, and move them away from fumes before restarting. Never use gasoline to start a barbecue grill. If you use a charcoal lighter fluid, follow directions on the can using a small amount. Once the fire has started, do not use additional lighter fluid which can flash and cause severe burns. If you need to rekindle the fire, use dry kindling. Be sure to store matches, barbecue lighting devices, lighter fluids out of the reach of small children. -16- 4. WILDFIRE SURVIVAL The key to surviving a wildland fire is planning for the emergency. If you have followed the steps outlined in this booklet, you have taken the first steps in defending your home against the ravages of fire. But when a wildland fire threatens your area, additional steps can be taken to help protect you and your home. First, if you see a wildland fire approaching your home, report it immediately. Do not assume that someone else has already called. Remember to stay on the phone and assist the fire agency with vital information needed for a quick response. Information such as your address and telephone number, the location of the fire and what you can see are critical to responding agencies getting to the fire without delay. Remember to keep emergency telephone numbers posted on or near each telephone in the house. Next, dress properly to prevent burns and lifelong scars. Long pants, cotton or wool longsleeve shirts or jackets and gloves will help protect you in a wildland fire. Do not wear short sleeve shirts or clothing made of synthetic fabrics. Report Fires Immediately ~ PREPARING TO EVACUATE If there is time before the fire arrives, take the following actions: o Park your car in the garage, heading out, with windows closed and keys in the ignition. o Close the garage door, but leave it unlocked. Be sure to disconnect the automatic garage door opener in case of power failure o Place valuable documents, family mementos and pets inside the car in the garage for quick departure if necessary. An easy way to plan for those items you need to take with you is to prepare a list of the most important items, such as wedding photos or negatives, family albums, insurance papers or other documents. Prepare a home inventory listing valuables with descriptions and serial numbers. File it with your insurance agent, and keep a copy at home. Your refrigerator or freezer may offer in- sulated protection for documents, photographs or other small items for which you have no room in your evacuation vehicle. -17- If you have to evacuate, use your pre-planned route, away from the approaching fire. Knowing all access routes in your area can help save you time in an evacuation. o Keep a flashlight and portable radio with you at all times. Be sure to have spare batteries on hand. o If you are trapped by fire while evacuating in your car, park in an area clear of vegetation. Close all ve- hicle windows and vents. Do not operate the air conditioner. Cover yourself with a blanket or jacket and lie on the floor. It may become very warm inside, but your best chance for survival is in your vehicle. Remain calm and stay inside your car. o If your are forced to evacuate on foot and are trapped, select an area clear of vegetation along a road, or lie in the road ditch or in a creek. Cover any exposed skin with a jacket or blanket. Avoid canyons that can con centrate and channel fire. Firefighters are told that if you panic and try to outrun the fire, chances are you will breathe in hot gases that can scorch your lungs and suffocation will follow. They are also told that their best chance for survival is to protect lungs and airways. Lie face down in the lowest depression on the site you pick. Try to dig a hole for your face and nose. Breathe through your nose. Mentally prepare yourself to stick it out, keeping your face pressed to the ground no matter how painful it gets. It is your only chance for survival. OUTSIDE YOUR HOME o Move combustible yard furniture away from the house or store them in the garage. These should include lawn, pool and patio furniture, umbrellas, tarp coverings barbecue briquette bags or propane bottles. Radiated heat from a wildland fire can catch these items on fire and cause your home to be ignited. o Close outside attic, eave, basement and other vents. Have half-inch or thicker wood cover- ings on hand for attic openings, eave vents, sub- floor vents that cannot be closed and for windows. Install them to help eliminate the possibility of sparks blOWing into hidden areas within the house. Close window shutters if they are fire resistive. o Attach garden hoses to spigots and place them so they can reach any area of your house. o Fill trash cans and buckets with water and locate them where firefighters can find them. These can be essential in putting out spot fires around your home and on your roof. Soak burlap sacks, small rugs, large rags which can be helpful in beating out burning embers or small fires. o If you have an emergency generator or a portable gasoline-powered pump that will supply water from a swimming pool, pond, well or tank, clearly mark its location and make sure it is ready to be operated. o Place a ladder against the house on the side opposite the approaching fire to help firefighters in rapidly getting onto your roof. o Place tools outside where firefighters can find them. These should include one or more long-handled, round point shovels; a rake (leaf, garden, asphalt or other); an axe; hoe; buckets; and one or more 5-pound multi- purpose fire extinguishers. o Place a lawn sprinkler on flammable roofs, but don't turn it on unless the fire is an immediate threat. You do not want to reduce the supply of water for firefighters. Keep in mind the effectiveness of lawn sprinklers on flammable roofs may be adversely affected by high winds and heat generated by the fire. -18- INSIDE YOUR HOME o Close all windows. Close all doors inside the house to prevent draft and slow the spread of fire from room to room. Open the damper on your fireplace to help stabilize the outside-inside pressure, but close the fireplace screen so sparks will not ignite the room. Turn on a light in each room to make the house more visible in dense smoke. o Fill sinks, bathtubs and buckets with water. Other important water reservoirs inside the house include the water heater and toilet tanks. o Turn off pilot lights by shutting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas or oil line valves to minimize the possibility of igniting a ruptured fuel line. o Move furniture away from windows and sliding glass doors to keep it from ignit- ing from the heat of fire radiating through windows. o Remove curtains and drapes. If you ...-- have metal blinds or special fire resis tant window coverings, close them to block heat radiation. WHEN YOU LEAVE o Leave the lights on in your home. If the electrical power does not fail, such lights will call attention to out-of- the-way homes during hours of darkness. o Leave doors and windows closed but unlocked. It may be necessary for firemen to gain quick entry into your home to fight fire. o If it becomes necessary to drive through fire, roll up the car windows, turn on the headlights, and drive slowly. A motor vehicle can be driven through considerable fire provided the driver remains calm. Look for other vehicles and pedestrians when driving through smoke-filled streets. Be aware of responding emergency vehicles. IF YOU PLAN TO STAY o As the fire approaches, go inside the house and stay there, away from outside walls and windows. o Be sure all doors are closed and unlocked. o -19- Keep your entire family together and remain calm. Remember, if it gets hot in the house, it is many times hotter and more dangerous out side. Although the house may eventually be destroyed by fire, the greatest mass of heat and fire may have swept by outside before it becomes untenable inside and it may then be possible to leave the building safely. AFTER THE FIRE PASSES o Check the roof immediately. Extinguish all sparks and embers. If you must climb onto the roof, use caution, especially if it is wet. o Check inside the attic for hidden burning embers. o Check your yard for burning woodpiles, trees, fence posts or other materials. Also check for any downed overhead powerlines. o Keep the doors and windows closed. o Continue rechecking your home and yard for burning embers for at least 12 hours after the fire has passed. o If you have a fire, get your neighbors to help fight it. The water in your pool, garbage cans, sinks, toilet tanks and bathtubs will come in handy now. o Have all pilot lights checked and re-ignited by qualified service personnel. -20- 5. DEVELOPING A SUBDIVISION Through discussion with fire protection agencies during the project concept phase, developers can provide for a degree of protection from wildland fire while also avoiding costly revisions and delays in subdivision projects down the road. While each political subdivision has specific requirements that are placed on planned unit developments or subdivisions through the planning or bUilding department and fire department, additional measures may be required for developments determined to be located in high fire risk locations. Mitigation of many of the risk factors can be accomplished through a number of built-in aspects of a subdivision. Discussions with fire protection agencies can help identify those built-in measures which may be most effective in subdivision wildland fire protection, and also help identify in escalating zones those areas in which the highest fire risk is present. BUILT-IN FUEL BREAKS Good landscape design can incorporate vegetation or fire fuel breaks in planned unit developments. These fuel breaks should not be a bare soil trail bulldozed around a subdivision, but can be as simple as removal of dead and fallen trees, tree limbs, shrubs and other flammable vegetation together with breaking the continuity of vegetation in a band 200-300 feet around the development. Use of a "brush hog" to clear shrubs and mulch them into the soil is an excellent way to prepare soils for introduction of native fire-resistive vegetation to help protect subdivision perimeters. This machinery can also be utilized to develop islands of vegetation through which continuity is broken to provide a less receptive fire fuel bed. Fire behavior can be dramatically altered by such means, decreasing flame intensity and length as fire approaches subdivisions. One of the most effective means of building in a degree of fire protection is the use of open space, pUblic use areas such as parks, recreation sites and picnic areas and perimeter roads to develop a break in vegetation continuity and create fire fuel breaks. Such areas compliment defensible space programs initiated by individual homeowners which collectively can mean the difference between survival and destruction of whole neighborhoods to the ravages of wildland fire. Natural elements such as rocky formations with little or no vegetation, river or stream beds in which vegetation has been thinned and dead and dying materials removed, can also be utilized in an overall subdivision landscape plan that is designed to help defend planned unit developments from advancing wildland fire. ROAD DESIGN Access is a critical element in any planned unit development. But more than ease of access for homeowners, good road design and circulation planning is critical to response of emergency vehicles, such as heavy fire engines as well as potential evacuation of residents. Poor road design and limited circulation plans can lead to disaster on roads and streets jammed with residents attempting to evacuate who are responsible for slowing or halting large emergency vehicles attempting to gain access to threatened property and fire line areas. Likewise, evacuees may find themselves halted or moving at too slow a pace on narrow roads that provide only one way in or out of a subdivision. The results can be deadly for both. Thinning of vegetation and removal of dead vegetation and fallen tree limbs at least i 0 feet from all roads can also provide greater protection in the event of a wildland fire, and compliment individual home defensible space programs. -21- Design cul-de-sacs to allow large fire trucks to turn around without having to back up. Cul- de-sacs should have a minimum radius of 45 feet. Where hammerhead-T turnarounds are allowed, they should provide a minimum distance atthe "T" ~~-_.. ,- I 10' ' ' - I/ 24' -.:.I ' ~ - -1-0.'- - of 40 feet for 3-point turnaround ability. Clear ~ ~,'pm ~ Clear Such cul-de-sac or hammerhead-T de- signs should not ex- ceed 1,000 feet in length in most areas, and in high fire risk areas, should be no longer than 600-feet. Do not build dead-end streets. Street and road signs should be installed at all intersections, and should be plainly visible day or night (or in smoky conditions) by using letters, numbers and symbols no less than 4-inches in height with a half-inch stroke. These should be reflective and on contrasting color backgrounds. Signs noting special conditions should be installed at the entrance to roads providing pertinent information such as the location of nearby emergency water supplies ("Draft Water" for ponds, lakes, etc., and "Pressure Water" for hydrants and systems), special travel conditions, road limitations, etc. House and lot numbers need to be plainly visible from the road to provide firefighters with readily identifiable locations and avoid delays. House identifiers with names and addresses should be made of fire resistance materials and have letters, numbers and symbols at least 4-inches in height with a half-inch stroke on contrasting colors. These signs should be posted at the entrance to driveways and be plainly visible night or day for a distance of 150-feet in all directions of travel. 600-1,000 Feet Maximum For One-Way Roads. Do not build dead-end streets. Two-Ways In And Out Are Needed To Provide For Emergency Access And Evacuation -22- LOCATION Residential developments should be located on a flat area, avoiding natural draws or swales. Developments located in natural chimney areas such as narrow canyons and saddles, are especially fire-prone because wind is funneled into them, accelerating fire's rate of spread by forming an uphill draft. Homes located at the top of slopes face increased danger from convective and radiant heat transfer from rapidly moving wildland fires. Homes and other structures should be located with a minimum 1OO-foot setback and provide for another 30-feet for defensible space protection. Homes built with decks or portions of the structure overhanging the slope are placed in the direct path of wildland fires and will have little chance for survival. Homes built without adequate setbacksfrom slopes, with overhanging porches or stilt supports have little chance for survival. Homes on the top of slopes should have a minimum 1OO-foot setback with an additional 30 feet considered for defensible space. ELECTRIC SERVICE Underground electric service installation is the best strategy for fire safety and is preferred in planned unit developments. It is more dependable and unaffected by weather and other adverse conditions such as wildland fire, wind, traffic accidents, etc. Primary distribution lines, those running from electric substations to user transformers, are aparticular problem. They frequently run cross-country, making inspection and maintenance difficult. If the line breaks and falls to the ground, it may remain energized. Even if the system circuit breaker is tripped, the line may be reenergized several times before finally shutting off. Re-energizing of a broken line frequently causes arcing, which will readily ignite combustible materials in the vicinity. This can also be a major hazard for emergency vehicle access or evacuation vehicles when energized lines fall across roadways. Secondary distribution lines, primarily those from the transformer to the point of use, are lower in voltage and not as likely to arc when broken. However, they are more susceptible to being overgrown by vegetation which can short out wires and ,..... cause ignition.---------------------------....., 7:. - - . ., ....... .",- ~~....-... .~ : .. ;, ~! 'U~" ERG, ltouNDI - PREFERRED -23- WATER SUPPLIES Provide fire hydrants that meet the size, type and location specifications of the local fire protection authority as well as state and county regulations. Generally, provide water sources or storage capacity to support required firefighting water flows for a period of at least two hours in addition to maximum daily flow requirements for domestic consumer uses. Access to lakes, ponds, streams, swimming pools and other water sources should be incorporated into development plans and should include signs directing emergency vehicles to these sites. Fire apparatus must be able to get within 16 feet of these sources in order to draft water into their tanks. Water drafting sources should be noted on all plans submitted for approval. Fire protection agencies will analyze development plans to determine minimum water supply and system requirements. If a hydrant system is not provided, metal or concrete water cisterns should be located at strategic locations throughout the development. Each should have a minimum capacity of 100 gallons per acre protected, or a minimum of 500 gallons per dwelling unit. Outlet valves must be easily seen and visibly signed from the nearest road. Valve design and thread requirements will be outlined by the local fire protection agency to meet recognized standards and agency needs. SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL Solid waste is a majorfire hazard in rural development construction. This ranges from flammable debris accumulations from site improvements and building construction to everyday accumulations by residents living in the development. Dispose of all debris from construction and right-of-way work before final approval of subdivision road systems. Identify and reserve future disposal sites depending on size and density of the development. Commercial waste collection should be extended to include all new developments. Vegetation management in new residential development construction can produce tons of organic material requiring disposal. Removal of dead tree limbs, fallen trees, dead or dying shrubs and other vegetation can result in disposal dilemma for developers. However, there are a number of methods for disposal of these materials depending upon local or state regulations and requirements: o Utilize a brush hog for removal of vegetation. This machine will mulch plant materials into the soil. o A chipper will reduce vegetative material to mulch for use in landscaping. o If regulations allow, organic materials may be piled and burned under proper conditions and close monitor ing. Permits for such burning, where allowed, are required. o Landfill the material. o Cut out firewood size material for sale orfree distribution, and dispose of the balance through one of the above methods. o Federal, state and local regulations require proper disposal of any materials listed as hazardous materials. Check with your local fire protection agency for guidelines on disposal of hazardous materials. -24- LIBERTY ENGINE COMPANY NO.1 FIRE PROTECTION FOR NEW DEVELOPMENTS Fire protection specialists from local fire protection agencies will evaluate the impact of new developments on existing fire protection capabilities and provide guidelines for developers in planning for increased levels of fire protection.lfthe developent is to be located morethan five miles from the nearest existing fire station, consideration should be given to dedication of land suitable for construction of fire department stations or substations. If the proposed development adjoins an existing rural fire district. require annexation to that district as a condition of development approval. In low density developments, seek help from local fire service agencies to organize a volunteer fire department. Support efforts to establish atax-supported rural fire district as population density increases and sufficient tax base is established. Analysis of new development impact by fire protection specialists may determine the need for specific fire protection equipment, stations or other items, which may become a contingent part of subdivision approval by the local governing jurisdiction. Advance planning and discussion with fire protection agencies can help identify these needs in the early planning phases of new developments. DRISCOLL HIGHWAY DONDERO PEAK HANEY VALLEY FIRE ZONE 3 HIGH FIRE HAZARD FIRE ZONE 2 MEDIUM HAZARD FIRE ZONE I LOW FIRE HAZARD -25- 6. ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE Further assistance for homeowners developing defensible space programs for wildland area homes and planning assistance for developers contemplating subdivisions in wildland areas can be obtained by contacting the Georgia Forestry Commission Office at the following address: Georgia Forestry Commission P. O. Box 819 5645 Riggins Mill Rd. Macon, GA 31298-4599 912-751-3500 John W. Mixon Director A Special Thanks And Acknowledgment To The Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators For Their Valued Input Into This Booklet. -26- - NOTES- - S:tl~ON- Georgia Forestry Commission P. O. Box 819 5645 Riggins Mill Rd. Macon, GA 31298-4599 912-751-3500 ApprOXlmale Cosl of Press Time and Paper Only COST- $3605 DlY: 51'1