By Allissa Reynolds, MNDNR Firewise Specialist
Have you ever considered your annual yard cleanup to be a wildfire mitigation practice? Well it is! That’s right, if you clean your gutters, rake leaves, prune your trees and shrubs, or even just mow your grass, you’re already on your way to becoming Firewise (the practice of living safely near or in areas that can be damaged by wildfires).
Here in Minnesota most wildfires occur in the spring- between March and June. During those months, all the dead vegetation from last year- the brown grass, dead leaves and twigs - is drying out in the sun and wind while the humidity in the air is still quite low. Think about those humid summer days we all love to talk about (“It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity”). We don’t typically have humid days until the grass has greened up and summer is in full swing. So, the time between snow-melt and green-up is prime wildfire season in Minnesota. That’s the time to be extra cautious with any kind of flame to not inadvertently start a wildfire. It happens every year, to the tune of about 1,000 fires in Minnesota.
But there’s good news. We have a LOT to do with how, where, and what a wildfire burns.
In basic firefighting training courses we talk about the Fire Triangle - what is needed for a fire to burn, and the Fire Behavior Triangle - what factors determine how a fire will burn (think smoldering short flames versus a wall of flame that rips across the landscape). Check them out:
Source: National Wildlife Coordinating Group (NWCG)
The common denominator in these two triangles is fuel - those leave, twigs, or the grass around your home. Fuel is also, conveniently, the one thing we can control and the one that is known ahead of time!
We know that the two leading causes of home ignition are ember showers (fire brands cast through the air ahead of the fire), and direct flame contact from an approaching fire. Firewise practices focus on limiting features that are susceptible to these two causes of home ignition. The practices change, and get less restrictive, with distance from the structure. The image below shows the “zones” defense.
To really put Firewise practices to work, start in the immediate zone. The home itself and the first 5 feet around it are the most important. Look for flammable objects that you can move, trim, or clean up. Remove everything possible that could ignite if an ember lands on it. Replace mulch with rock or patio pavers to create hardscapes, and replace highly flammable plants with succulents, annuals, or other fire resistant plants. If branches extend over a roof, remove them. Next move out to 30 feet. In the 5 to 30 foot intermediate zone, maintain short green grass, widely spaced trees, and remove limbs on trees up to 6 to 10 feet. Evergreens are discouraged in the intermediate zone. As you can, keep working out to 100 feet from your home or cabin A well-tended extended zone will help slow an oncoming - fire giving firefighters and your home a better chance of success. Your yard doesn’t have to be a moonscape, but clean, lean, and green are key.
Source: Firewise
Be Firewise
Protect your home, barn, and other structures from wildfire with these easy, inexpensive steps:
Maintain at least 5 feet of cleared area around buildings.
Limit or remove flammable materials such as trees, overhanging branches, brush, and firewood within 30 feet of a building.
For trees that are within 30 feet of a building, prune lower branches 6 to 10 feet from the ground, or no more than one-third the tree’s height.
In a 30- to 100-foot zone around each building, reduce fuels by mowing grasses, removing brush, and pruning lower branches to decrease the intensity of approaching wildfires.
In Minnesota, we often talk about the Firewise Top 5 as the most bang for your buck:
Source: MNDNR
Trim branches so your address is visible and your driveway is wide and tall enough for a fire truck (12 feet wide by 14 feet tall). Space to turn around is also really important.
Keep your grass short and green so a fire doesn’t spread across it.
Move flammables (especially firewood piles) at least 30 feet from buildings.
Clear your roof, gutters, and decks of leaves, needles, and debris.
Prune low branches (up to at least 6 feet high) to keep grass fires on the ground, not in the trees.
Once you’ve got a handle on these top 5, it’s always a good idea to meet with a Firewise Specialist to discuss your specific situation and identify any other potential weaknesses. The visit is free and informal and can really make a difference in the outcome of your home after a wildfire. If you’d prefer a do-it-yourself option, try this Home Risk Assessment or order a free Firewise Homeowners Kit.
In 2021 over 70 structures were lost to wildfire in Minnesota, and sadly many losses could have been prevented through Firewise practices.
Next time you’re out working in the yard, take another look and see what else you can do to minimize your wildfire risk. Often it’s the little things that matter. As we like to say, when it comes to your yard - Keep it Clean, Lean, and Green!