Fact Sheet - Wildfires

At a glance..

The threat of wildland fires for people near living near wildland areas or using recreational facilities in wilderness areas is real. Advance planning and knowing how to protect buildings in these areas can lessen the devastation of a wildland fire.

The details..

Wildfires pose a serious threat to those living near or using recreational facilities in wilderness areas. This book by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an essential guide for anyone seeking ways to mitigate this risk. The first part of the book focuses on advance planning measures such as learning safe fire practices; building fires away from nearby trees or bushes; having a way to extinguish fires quickly and completely; obtaining local building codes and weed abatement ordinances for structures built near wooded areas; using fire-resistant materials when renovating or retrofitting structures among others.

The second part of the book deals with creating safety zones around homes which can help separate them from combustible plants and vegetation. Stone walls can act as heat shields while swimming pools and patios can be used as safety zones too. Readers will also learn about checking their home surroundings for potential hazards like electrical lines above ground level which should be installed underground if possible.

The third section covers what actions one should take during wildfires including installing smoke detectors on every level of your home & developing an emergency communication plan so family members know where each other is at all times during emergencies.

Finally, readers will find advice on what they need when evacuating their homes due to wildfires such as disaster supplies including flashlights with extra batteries portable battery-operated radios with extra batteries first aid kits cash credit cards sturdy shoes etc.