shore stewards news
TRANSCRIPT
1
A wildfire threatens homes in Clark County.
Shore Stewards News
Winter 2008 Issue No. 15
LIVING WITH FIRE
Wildfires are prevalent on the Olympic Peninsula. Long before towns and subdivisions
were established here, fires were a natural result of lightening strikes in the mountains and
lowlands. The big difference between fires on the Olympic Peninsula in the past and
recent fire risk is that now there are individual homes, subdivisions, and entire
communities located in rural areas. So, as more and more people live in a natural fire
environment, the more at risk we become in regard to firefighting resources and the
number of homes and people at risk.
Battling wildfires is an arduous and expensive task
that is complicated by thick forest undergrowth
and the increasing encroachment of people near
forest land. An increased population brings added
difficulties to fighting wildfires: homes are a fuel to
a wildfire, just like trees, shrubs, and grasses.
Emergency access is often hampered in rural
areas by long, windy roads and insufficient turn-
around space. Added to the mix are drought,
climate change, increased visitors to our area,
and a natural fire environment that has been
building fuels for many years. A lot of people think
that when a wildfire starts, it will be quickly controlled and extinguished. This has been an
accurate assumption for many years. But sometimes wildfires burn so intensely that even
the combined
resources of our local
fire departments,
wildland firefighters,
and others, cannot
contain it. This is a
wildfire disaster.
There are many things
we can do to prepare
ourselves when we live
in a fire environment.
Firefighters suggest,
among other things,
A Tough Battle
What You Can Do
Defensible space
2
that we prepare homes in our region with a defensible space in mind. Defensible space
is the area between the house and an oncoming wildfire where vegetation has been
modified, exterior construction materials carefully chosen, and potential fuels for a fire
removed. Building a defensible space reduces the threat of a wildfire and gives
firefighters space to effectively defend a house.
Worst Case Scenario: A Wildfire Disaster Defined
Wildfire disasters build up in small parts. People build homes near forests and wildland
areas. A dry environment exists from drought conditions or low rainfall. High winds may
be prevalent, particularly from the east, mostly occurring in dry summer months.
Somehow a fire starts, most likely from a human but maybe from an environmental cause
such as lightening. Homes, communities and people are threatened. Firefighting
resources are limited.
There is a common joke among statisticians
that the top three causes of fires are men,
women, and children. It’s true. These days, it is
estimated that people cause 90% of all
wildland fires. So, as our population grows on
the Olympic Peninsula and our number of
annual visitors rises, our risk of being affected
by a wildland fire increases as well. Rural
populations are growing almost as fast as
urban populations, reversing a 50-year
tradition of people migrating from spacious
farmland to concentrated villages.
Won’t the Fire Department Protect My House?
Some people assume that in a wildfire situation, a fire engine and firefighters will be on
their property actively defending their homes. During a major wildfire, it is unlikely there
will be enough firefighting resources to defend every home. In these instances, firefighters
will likely select homes they can protect most safely and effectively. The key is to reduce
wildfire intensity as the fire nears a house. This can be accomplished by building a
defensible space around a structure.
Suppressing Structure Fires and Wildfires: A Big Difference
An understanding of the limits of our local firefighting resources can be a great motivator
in preparing our homes and ourselves for wildfire situations. It is best to assume that in a
wildfire situation, there’s a likelihood that neither you, nor firefighters, will be on the scene.
Suppressing a structural fire is much different than fighting a wildland fire and it is
important to distinguish the two so you can better protect and defend your home.
Response times are different
A 9-1-1 call and a few minutes is usually all it takes for a structural fire response in more
populated areas. Structural fires are usually confined to a contained area and are fairly
easy to pinpoint. But a wildland fire can take 30 or more minutes to locate, even in a
Causes of Wildfires
3
high-priority fire season. Unlike structural fires, wildland fires may cover immense areas,
may not be contained to one location, and suppression may take place far away from
the flame.
Suppressing structure fires and wildland fires requires
different, specialized equipment
Within minutes of notification of a structure fire, fire engines
and aid units respond to the scene. Equipment and staff
can be coordinated and shared between districts within a
fairly short amount of time. But wildland fires require
specialized equipment depending on the severity of the
fire. Brush trucks, hand tools, hoses, and fire retardant are
often stored in a wildland fire vehicle, but suppressing a
wildland fire can require hundreds of firefighters, bull dozers,
air tankers and days of coordination.
Availability of Firefighters varies
Structural firefighters are usually employed or volunteer year-round, and for the most
part, are available within a close geographical area. Wildland firefighting crews on the
Olympic Peninsula rotate during the season, fighting fires through Washington and other
nearby states. This means that at any given time during wildland fire season, many of our
local wildland firefighters may be deployed far away but a minimum staffing is
maintained to fight fires locally.
Structural firefighting and wildland firefighting require different training
Basic firefighting training requires skills including suppression tactics, structural fire
behavior and hazardous materials awareness. Wildland firefighters are trained to
interpret different environmental factors including weather, fuel and topography. Many
of our firefighters in Jefferson County are cross-trained to fight both structural and
wildland fires. This crosstraining effort, though essential, can put our firefighters at risk for
more injuries due to attempts to operate in unfamiliar conditions with unfamiliar
equipment.
Suppressing big scale wildfires and small scale
structural fires can be mutually exclusive
If firefighters apply available, but limited
resources to a rapidly spreading wildfire,
individual homes many not be adequately
protected. Wildland firefighters will prioritize
controlling the wildfire and minimizing wide
scale damage over saving individual homes. In
addition, most fire suppression in wildland areas
takes place a great distance away from the
flame front—sometimes a half mile or more
away. We lose firefighters when we put them close to a wall of flames. Wildfires are
unpredictable and a raging fire outclasses most equipment available today. Having a
defensible space around your home gives your structures the best chances of surviving
the fire, without the aid of firefighters.
Firefighters flee an out of control wildfire.
4
Ten Easy Actions - One Reason
Define your defensible space
Create a 30 foot zone of
fireresistant space around your
home to prevent fires from starting
near or spreading to your home.
Reduce flammable vegetation and
brush around your home Plants
such as juniper are highly
flammable. Select fire-resistant
plants from the list on following
pages.
Reduce the density of nearby trees
Remove or thin overcrowded or small diameter trees. Prune low hanging branches from
the ground to eliminate “ladder fuels.”
Keep grass and weeds cut low Trim grass and
weeds to less than 4” to prevent rapid spread of
fire and high flames.
Clear wood piles and building materials away
from your home and outbuildings Keep burnable
materials at least 20 feet from your home and
outbuildings. Clear all brush at least 10 feet away
from wood and debris piles.
Keep your yard and roof clean Clear pine
needles, leaves and debris from your yard, roof and gutters to eliminate ignition sources.
Remove overhanging and dead limbs.
Keep address signs visible for easy access Post easy-to-read
address signs and trim vegetation away from driveways so
firefighters can find and access your home quickly.
Choose fire-resistant roofing materials Use fire-resistant materials
like composition shingles, metal or tile roofing. Install spark arrestors
on chimneys to prevent sparks from igniting your roof or
surrounding vegetation.
Use alternatives to outdoor burning Instead of burning, recycle or
compost your yard waste.
Be prepared to respond to wildfire Keep a 72-hour kit handy. Know
the evacuation routes from your neighborhood and practice with
your family, using a checklist of what to take and how to prepare
your home before leaving.
5
What Are Fire Resistant Plants?
Fire resistant plants are not readily ignitable. They can be damaged or killed by fire, yet
their foliage and stems do not contribute significantly to a fire as fuel, thus, they tend not
to add to the fire’s intensity. Other factors influencing fire resistance in plants include
plant moisture content, age, volume, dead material, and chemical content.
Fire resistant does not mean fire proof Fire resistant plant leaves are moist and supple;
they have little dead wood and tend not to accumulate dead material within the plant.
Sap in fire resistant plants is water-like, does not have a strong odor, and is low in content.
Highly flammable plants contain dry, fine, or dead material such as twigs, leaves, and
needles. The leaves, twigs, and stems in highly flammable plants contain volatile waxes,
terpenes, or oils and the leaves are aromatic (strong when crushed). Sap in highly
flammable plants is gummy, resinous, has a strong odor, and may have loose or paper
bark. Even fire resistant plants will burn if not healthy. Keep landscape plants healthy with
appropriate watering and maintenance.
A caution about bark mulch and wood chips
In general, a mulched landscape is encouraged for its ability to suppress weeds and
retain moisture. However, in a wildfire-prone landscape situation, dry mulch can ignite
and carry fire to your home or to other trees and vegetation. One solution is to make sure
the mulch in your garden remains moist in the summer months, for instance, by placing
soaker hoses beneath the mulch or by watering. Another idea is to consider less
flammable mulches such as gravel, decorative rocks, or special mixes.
Scientific Name Common Name
Groundcovers 18” and lower
- Ajuga reptans Carpet bugleweed - Antennaria rosea Pink pussytoes - Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Kinnikinnick - Ceanothus prostratus Squaw carpet/ Mahala mat
- Cerastium tomentosum Snow-in-
summer
- Delosperma nubigenum Yellow
iceplant
- Delosperma cooperi Purple/pink
iceplant
- Dianthus species Dianthus, garden carnation or pinks
- Echeveria species Hen and chicks - Fragaria species Wild strawberry
- Lamium species Dead nettle
- Pachysandra terminalis Japanese
pachysandra
- Phlox subulata Creeping phlox - Sedum species Sedum or stonecrops
- Thymus praecox Creeping or woolly
thyme
- Veronica species Speedwell - Vinca minor Periwinkle
Perennials 18” or taller
- Achillea species Yarrow - Allium schoenoprasum Chives
- Aquilegia species Columbine
- Armeria maritima Sea thrift
- Aurinia saxatilis Basket of gold - Bergenia cordifolia Heartleaf bergenia - Campsis radicans Trumpet vine
- Carex species Sedges - Coreopsis species Coreopsis
- Delphinium varieties Delphinium
- Echinacea purpurea Coneflower - Epilobium angustifolium Fireweed
- Gaillardia varieties Blanket flower
- Geranium species Cranesbill
- Helianthemum nummularium Sun rose
- Hemerocallis species Daylily
- Heuchera sanguinea Coralbells Continued next page
6
- Hosta species Hosta lily - Iris hybrids Iris - Kniphofia uvuria Red-hot poker - Lavandula species Lavender - Linum perenne Blue flax
- Lonicera species Honeysuckle - Lupinus varieties Lupine - Oenothera species Evening primrose
- Papaver orientale Oriental poppy
- Penstemon species Penstemon
- Ratibida columnifera Prairie
coneflower or Mexican hat
- Salvia species Salvia or sage - Stachys byzantina Lamb’s ear
- Yucca species Yucca
Shrubs—broadleaf evergreen
- Ceanothus gloriosus Point Reyes ceanothus
- Cistus pupureaus Orchid rockrose
- Cotoneaster apiculatus Cranberry cotoneaster
- Daphne x burkwoodii Carol Mackie
daphne
- Gaultheria shallon Salal
- Ligustrum species Privet
- Mahonia aquifolium Oregon
grapeholly
- Mahonia repens Creeping holly
- Paxistima myrtifolia Oregon boxwood
- Rhododendron macrophyllum Pacific
rhododendron
- Rhododendron occidentale Western
azalea
- Yucca species Yucca
Shrubs-deciduous
- Acer circinatum Vine maple
- Acer glabrum Rocky Mountain maple
- Amelanchier species Serviceberry
- Caryopteris x clandonensis Blue-mist
spirea
- Cornus sericea/Cornus stolonifera Redosier dogwood
- Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ Dwarf
burning bush
- Holodiscus discolor Oceanspray
- Perovskia atriplicifolia Russian sage - Philadelphus species Mock orange
- Prunus besseyi Western sandcherry
- Rhamnus frangula ‘Columnaris’ Tallhedge
- Rhamnus frangula ‘Asplenifolia’ Fernleaf
buckthorn
Trees-conifer
- Larix occidentalis Western larch
- Pinus ponderosa Ponderosa pine - Pinus contorta Lodgepole pine
Trees-deciduous
- Acer ginnala Amur maple
- Acer macrophyllum Bigleaf maple
- Acer platanoides Norway maple
- Acer rubrum Red maple
- Alnus rubra Red alder
- Betula species Birch - Catalpa speciosa Western catalpa
- Cercis Canadensis Eastern redbud - Cornus florida Flowering dogwood Continued next page
- Rhododendron occidentale Western
azalea
- Rhus species Sumac
- Ribes species Flowering currant - Rosa species Hardy shrub rose - Rosa woodsii Wood’s rose
- Salix species Willow
- Spiraea x bumalda Bumald spirea
- Spiraea douglasii Western spirea
- Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry
- Syringa species Lilac - Viburnum trilobum ‘Campactum’
Viburnum, Compact American
Cranberry
7
- Crataegus species Hawthorn - Fagus sylvatica European beech - Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green ash
- Fraxinus Americana White ash
- Gleditsia triacanthos Thornless
honeylocust
- Gymnocladus dioicus Kentucky
coffee tree
- Juglans species Walnut
- Liquidambar styraciflua American
sweetgum
- Malus species Crabapple
- Platanus racemosa Western or
California sycamore
- Populus tremuloides Quaking aspen
- Prunus virginiana Chokecherry - Prunus virginiana ‘Schubert’ Canada red chokecherry
- Quercus garryana Oregon white
oak/Garry oak
- Quercus palustris Pin oak
- Quercus rubra Red oak
- Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Purple Robe’ Purple Robe locust
- Sorbus aucuparia Mountain ash
This list was adapted from Oregon State University Extension’s Fire-Resistant Plants for
Home Landscapes, in consultation with FireWise U.S.A. and Washington State University
Jefferson County Master Gardeners. resinous, has a strong odor, and may have loose or
paper bark. Even fire resistant plants will burn if not healthy. Keep landscape plants
healthy with appropriate watering and maintenance.
This newsletter was adapted from WSU Extension’s Living with Wildfire publication. If you
would like a complete copy, please contact us at 360-379-5610 ext 200 or email Cammy
Mills at [email protected]
About This Publication
This publication is designed to provide information to help us prepare for the inevitable
wildfire event. Following these recommendations will greatly increase the odds that our
residents, our visitors, and our homes will survive fire. Julie Knott, Author; Cammy Mills and
Pat Pearson, editors; WSU Jefferson County Extension L. Katherine Baril, Director, WSU
Jefferson County Extension
Have a question about the Shore Stewards program or interested in having a Shore
Stewards presentation at an upcoming community meeting or group event? Contact
Shore Stewards coordinator Cammy Mills at 360-275-9722 or
References