Protecting Your Family from Wildland Fires in Arizona

1. Wildland Fires in Arizona:How You Can Protect Yourself and Your Family Prepared by: Alix Rogstad Fire Education Specialist University of Arizona – Cooperative Extension School of Natural Resources Tucson, Arizona

2. Objectives • Describe wildfire’s historic role and the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) • Introduce the Firewise program and its benefits • List 5 Arizona Firewise principles, and Easy Firewise steps you can take today • Sources of additional information

3. Role of Fire: Historically • Fire has played a role in the earth’s ecosystems for over 4.5 billion years. • Everything above the ocean will burn.

4. Wildland Fire Risks • Risk is the chance of damage or loss of life, property, and wildland values (e.g., wildlife habitat or aesthetics).

5. Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) • The area where structures and other human development intermingles with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels.

6. Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) • From a wildfire perspective, the zone where combustible vegetation meets combustible structures. • Set of conditions that exist in any community.

7. Firewise Program • The Arizona Firewise Communities program was initiated in 2000, and provides a means for community action and involvement.

8. Firewise Program Goal:Proactive Management Homes should be designed, built, and maintained to withstand a wildfire WITHOUT the intervention of the fire department.

9. Firewise Principles • You live in a fire-prone environment and your home and property is at risk. • The risk of wildfire in your neighborhood is real. • Protecting your home from wildfires is YOUR responsibility. • Defensible or survivable space around your home is the first defense against wildfire damage, but is no guarantee. • Properly protecting your home will protect Arizona’s forests and landscapes.

10. Firewise Suggestions • Select fire-resistant plants for your yard. agave mountain mahogany catclaw acacia Arizona ash

11. Firewise Suggestions • Maintain yard vegetation • Remove excess dead material • Rake pine needles and other vegetative debris (leaving only ~ 1 inch) • Mow grass regularly

12. Firewise Suggestions • Create “survivable space” around your home. • Trim woody vegetation near structures to a height of 10-feet, especially near chimneys.

13. Firewise Suggestions • Build your home with fire-resistant materials. • Use Class A roofing materials • Consider installing structural sprinkler systems

14. Firewise Suggestions • Use inorganic materials to build walkways, which will create fire breaks by separating vegetated areas.

15. Firewise Suggestions • Use inorganic materials to build patios and decks.

16. Firewise Suggestions • Use inorganic materials as mulch in place of bark or wood chips.

17. Firewise Suggestions • Clean debris from your yard, roof, and gutter to eliminate an ignition source for embers.

18. Firewise Suggestions • Move propane tanks away from your home and other structures, and trim nearby vegetation.

19. Firewise Suggestions • Ensure the road signs and addresses are clearly visible on fire-resistant materials.

20. Firewise Suggestions • Develop a fire escape plan (include pets!), and practice it with your family. • Know what personal items you need and how you will pack when evacuation becomes necessary. • Papers • Prescriptions • Personal Items (minimum 2-5 days worth)

21. Additional Information Sources • Visit the Arizona Firewise Communities web page: http://cals.arizona.edu/firewise/ • Contact your local University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Office • Contact your local fire department • Contact the Arizona State Forester’s office at (602) 255-4059

22. Supporters and Cooperators: • Arizona State Land Department • Bureau of Indian Affairs • Bureau of Land Management • National Park Service • Univ. of AZ – Cooperative Extension • USDA Forest Service • US Fish and Wildlife Service

23. End of slide show, click to go back Firewise website.http://cals.arizona.edu/firewise