If you aren't sure whether
your house is at risk from wildfires, check with your local fire
marshal, building official, city engineer, or planning and zoning
administrator. They can tell you whether you are in a wildfire hazard
area. Also, they usually can tell you how to protect yourself and your
house and property from wildfires.
What You Can Do
Wildfire protection can
involve a variety of changes to your house and property changes that
can vary in complexity and cost. You may be able to make some types of
changes yourself. But complicated or large-scale changes and those that
affect the structure of your house or its electrical wiring and
plumbing should be carried out only by a professional contractor
licensed to work in your state, county, or city. One example of
wildfire protection is removing vegetation, yard debris, and other
combustible materials that may be near your house. This is something
that many homeowners can probably do on their own.
Remove Vegetation and Combustible Materials
If the area immediately
surrounding your house contains trees, shrubs, and other vegetation;
yard debris or other materials that burn easily, your house will be at
an increased risk of damage during wildfires and forest fires. These
combustible materials provide a path by which fire from nearby areas
can reach your house.
You
should clear the area around your house. Shrubs, brush, woodpiles, and
combustible debris should be removed within a radius of 30 feet.
The
distance between your house and any nearby tree should always be
greater than the height of the mature tree or at least 10 feet.
Similarly, any outbuildings, such as storage sheds, should be at least
as far away as their height.
Tips
Read your homeowners insurance policy carefully and be sure to have coverage for this hazard, especially if you live in an area prone to fires.
Keep these points in mind when you remove vegetation and other combustible materials from around your house:
Removing large trees near
your house can be very dangerous, for both you and your house, and is
therefore a job for a skilled contractor.
Rather than plant shrubs near your house, consider landscaping alternatives such as creating a rock garden.
Estimated Cost
If you hire a contractor to
remove a large tree, you can expect to pay about $300 to $500. The
charge for removing smaller trees and shrubs will be less
