Check your property to minimize fire risk
I am hoping the old adage that the third time is the charm doesn’t come to fruition in my neighborhood this summer. In the past three weeks, the Painted Hills area of the south Valley has already seen two wildfires. Even though they were quickly controlled, they were a warning to review fire preparations around your house.
First, there is a complete countywide ban on any open fires that went into effect on June 17. This means no outdoor burning or open fires in recreational fire pits, fire rings or on the ground. Charcoal and gas barbecues, patio heaters and wood fires in commercially built fireplaces are still permitted. Even so, keep a hose handy just in case the sparks from that burning steak get too big.
I love a good fireworks show, but this is not the year to use them. One errant rocket or firecracker can easily set nearby grass and bushes on fire. If it’s at all windy, that instant of fun can easily burn up the neighborhood.
Check your property for dead plants, especially evergreens, dense twiggy shrubs and piles of pine needles. Remove them to eliminate fuel for a fire. Even urban areas have enough open undeveloped spaces where a fire can easily start.
Pick up trash, piles of lumber and tools laying around. More than one wildfire has set a broom leaning against a house on fire with disastrous results.
A firewood pile should be at least 30 feet from any structure. If you have a lot of pines in your area, trim them up to 12 feet to prevent a fire from climbing into the trees. Lastly, while saving water on lawns is a noble cause, a well-watered lawn makes a very good fire break.
If you are not sure about how to reduce the fire hazard around your house and property, the Spokane Conservation District is doing fire assessments in Spokane County. A district forester will come to your property for approximately an hour and give you a practical list of suggested improvements to lessen your risk of fire and create defensible space.
According to the conservation district, “The exact size of your defensible space varies by slope and type of vegetation and will be determined during the assessment.” Go to the district’s website; http://sccd.org/firewise .html to request an assessment.
Neighborhoods can also band together to create fire-wise communities. With the help of the conservation district, neighbors can plan a fuels-reduction program that will provide more protection for everyone. In some cases there are cost share funds available to help get the work done. If interested, contact Garth Davis by email at Garth-Davis@sccd.org for more information.