Firewise Landscape Design: Techniques for Minimizing Wildfire Risk

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Firewise Landscape DesignTechniques for
Minimizing Wildfire Risk

• David Robbins
• Wildfire Mitigation Specialist
• Maryland DNR Forest Service

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• Fire Behavior in Maryland
• The Wildland/Urban Interface
• Defensible Space
• Firewise Landscaping
• The Zone Concept
• Fire Resistant Plants
• Firewise Construction
• Firewise Maintenance

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Fire in Maryland

• 660 wildfires per year
• 3,600 acres burned
• Disaster fires avoided through rapid response

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Fire Behavior

• Most fires occur in late fall and early spring
• Surface/Ground Fires
• Controlling Factors
• Fuels
• Weather
• Topography
• 98 of all wildfires are started by people

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The Wildland/Urban Interface

• Definition
• The area where structures and other human
  developments meet or intermingle with wildland or
  vegetative fuels
• Homes at risk
• Within or adjacent to forest or grassland
• Constructed with any flammable material
• On or near slopes

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Home Ignition

• How Homes Ignite
• Direct Flame Impingement
• Firebrand Ignitions
• Home Ignition Zone
• 30-100 feet around the home

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Defensible Space

• At least 30 wide ? 100 on steep slopes
• Minimizes fuel between house and surrounding
  forest
• Provides an area for firefighters to work
• Also can enable house to stand alone

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Components of Defensible Space

• Firewise Landscaping
• Firewise Construction
• Maintenance

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Firewise Landscaping

• The Concepts
• At least 30 feet wide
• Minimize fuel loading
• Eliminate direct flame impingement
• Prevent plant-to-plant spread of fire
• Use Firewise mulches and ground covers
• Use Firewise plants

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The Zone Concept

• Zone 1 ? 0-5 from the house
• Prevent direct flame impingement
• Zone 2 ? 5-30 from the house
• Stop fire spread
• Zone 3 ? 30-100 from the house
• Slow down or stop fire
• Zone 4 ? the surrounding area
• Minimize the intensity of an approaching fire

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Firewise Plants

• High moisture content
• Low oil or resin content
• Minimal debris accumulation
• Minimal dead branches, leaves, etc.
• Drought resistant
• Well adapted
• Open, loose branching habit

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Firewise Construction

• Materials
• Use fire resistant roofing materials
• Use fire resistant building materials
• Limit wood use unless treated with fire retardant
• Construction
• Enclose openings that can trap firebrands
• Install spark arrester on chimney

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Firewise Maintenance

• Remove Dead Leaves and Debris
• Roof / Gutters
• Around House
• Around Outbuildings and Fences
• Remove Snags
• Prune Dead Limbs
• Maintain a Mowed, Green Lawn

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Firewise Information

• www.firewise.org
• www.dnr.maryland.gov/forests

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Contact Information
David Robbins Wildfire Mitigation
Specialist Maryland DNR Forest Service 1260
Maryland Avenue, Suite 103 Hagerstown, MD
21740 301-791-4010 office 301-331-6432
cell 301-791-0173 fax drobbins_at_dnr.state.md.us