HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-0907 Documents Submitted
Construction Tips
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Use Rated Roofing Material. Roofing material
with a Class A rating is the most fire resistant
and will help keep the flame from spreading.
Examples:
o Composition shingle 0 Metal
o Clay 0 Cement tile
Use Fire-Resistant Building Materials on
Exterior Walls. Examples include:
o Cement
o Plaster
o Stucco
o Masonry (concrete, stone, brick or block)
While vinyl is difficult to ignite, it can fall
away or melt when exposed to extreme heat.
Use Double-Paned or Tempered Glass.
Double-pane glass can help reduce the risk of
fracture or collapse during an extreme wildfire.
Tempered glass is the most effective. For
skylights, glass is a better choice than plastic or
fiberglass.
Enclose Eaves, Fascias, Soffits and Vents.
'Box' eaves, fascias, soffits and vents, or
enclose them with metal screens. Vent openings
should be covered with 118" metal screen.
Construction Tips Continued
Protect Overhangs and Other Attachments.
Remove all vegetation and other fuels from
around overhangs and other attachments (room
additions, bay windows, decks, porches, carports
and fences). Box in the undersides of overhangs,
decks and balconies with noncombustible or firc
resistant materials. Fences constructed of
flammable materials like wood should not be
attached directly to the house.
Anything attached to the house (decks, porches,
fences and outbuildings) should be considered
part of the house. These act as fuel bridges,
particularly if constructed from flammable
materials.
I) If a wood fence is attached to the house,
separate the fence from the house with a masonry
or metal barrier.
2) Decks and elevated porches should be kept free
of combustible materials and debris.
3) Elevated wooden decks should not be located at
the top of a hill. Consider a terrace.
CITY OF
ASHLAND
City of Ashland
Ashland Fire and Rescue
482-2700
TTY 800-735-2900
www.ashland.or.us
Visit the following web site for more
Firewise information:
www.firewise.org
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HOME IGNITION ZONE
ASSESSMENT
Wildland fire is a natural process,
and is necessary for the survival of
many plants and animals. But no one
wants to see homes lost to fire. If you
live near wildlands, your home may
be at risk. Unfortunately, once a
wildire starts, firefighters may not
have the time or resources to protect
every home in its path.
YOU CAN TAKE ACTION
TO PROTECT YOUR
HOME BEFORE A FIRE
. STARTS
September 2010
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CITY OF
ASHLAND
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Home Safety
A well-maintained landscape can not only
enhance the beauty and value of any property-it
can also serve as a fuel break. Under the right
conditions, a "Firewise" home can even survive a
wildfire.
The goal is to keep your landscaping lean, clean
and green. The following steps can help your
home survive a wildfire:
ZONE I: 30 feet adjacent to the home beyond
attachments such as wooden decks and fences.
Keep this area well irrigated and free from dry
vegetation and debris. Plants should be carefully
spaced, low growing and free of resins, oils, and
waxes that burn easily.
.Mow lawn regularly. Prune all trees so the
lowest limbs are six to ten feet from the ground.
Remove dried leaves, pine needles and other
debris.
.Allow 30 feet between tops of trees to reduce the
risk of crown fire.
.Within five feet of the home, use nonflammable
landscaping materials, such as rock, pavers,
annuals, and high-moisture-content perennials.
.Ifyou live in a moderate to high hazard area,
consider fire resistant patio furniture, swing sets
and accessories.
A lone Approach
Keeping Landscapes Lean, Clean and
Green- And Firewise
.Keep firewood stacks and propane tanks at least 30
feet from the home. Keep area clean.
. Water plants and trees regularly to ensure they are
healthy. Mulch should also be watered.
ZONE 2: 30 to 100 feet from the home. In moderate
and high hazard areas, plants should be low growing,
well irrigated and less flammable.
.Leave 30 feet between clusters of two to three trees,
or 20 feet between individual trees. Prune trees so
branches and leaves are at least six to ten feet above
the ground.
.Give yourself added protection with "fuel breaks,"
such as driveways, gravel walkways, and lawns..
A list of Firewise plants suitable for the Ashland
area can be found at:
wwW.ashland.or.us/files/plants.pdf
The Wildland/Urban Interface
Problem
A tremendous wildfire danger exists where
homes blend together with the wildland, creating
the wildland/urban interface. Homeowners that
have practiced Firewise principals have a greater
chance in stopping the flame or firebrands before
reaching their home.
Three ways thala wildfire can transfer itself from
the natural vegetation or other burning homes to
your home are radiation, convection and
firebrands. Firebrands are one of the major causes
of homes burned due to wildfire. Firebrands can
be carried 1/2 mile ahead of a fire front.
Conditions must be just right for a wildfire to
start and spread. Specifically, fuel, weather and
topography work together to determine how
quickly a wildfire travels and at what intensity.
By implementing firewise practices on and
around your property you can manipulate the
fuel factor.
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10 FireWise Steps
1. Change out wood shake roofing.. .or at least start saving now to replace
shakes soon
2. Remove flammable plants and trees within 30 feet of your home. Chip away
at it starting close to the home and working out if it seems too big a job.
3. Clean up anything flammable including leaves and needles, firewood, and
lumber working out from the home to 30 feet. This includes gutters and
rooftops.
4. Clean debris from under decks and stairs.
5. Keep mulch and anything flammable away from wood siding
6. Use only Fire Resistant Plants for your landscape
7. Replace old, flammable wood siding with fire resistant materials
8. Check and/or change batteries in your smoke detector
9. Make a plan for evacuation and family communication and practice it
10. Make sure your address is readily visible from the street
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Fire Resources
AF&R Staffing Level of7
16 Agencies Responded to the Fire
38 Fire Engines, 21 Fire Command Vehicles
3 Helicopters and Air Tac Airplane
135 Firefighters and Command Staff
Ashland CERT Volunteers
Other Agencies Including Ashland Police,
Sheriff's Dept, Search & Rescue, Ashland
Public Works, Red Cross
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