WIND accelerates the spread of wildfires by
1) providing more oxygen to intensify the flames
2) speeding up the fire in the downwind direction and
3) carrying firebrands or flying embers well ahead of the blaze.
During periods of severe fire weather, which we call Red Flag Days, flying embers can easily and quickly ignite even small accumulations of dry grass, leaves, paper, and other flammable materials, even in places that may otherwise appear to be safe.
For the last three years, MVEST has focused on the creation of defensible spaces all around and within the Marin Valley community. Indeed, the wiser residents who care for the safety of our community have overwhelmingly cooperated and supported our efforts by following suit with their own yards. MVEST highly commends these efforts, and continues to encourage all residents to participate, as each and every “late-adapter” poses a serious risk for the entire community.
The risk of severe wildfire increases with each passing year. So, what else can we residents do to make our homes and community more fire-resistant? One thing we can do is to encourage our municipalities and special districts to do whatever is necessary to reduce dangerous accumulations of fuels in and near our wildland-urban interface (WUI) zones. And something we can all do is — FIRE-HARDEN our homes!
- Remove flammable materials from around your home—clear leaves and debris from roofs, rain gutters, decks, carports and driveways
- Install approved flying-ember-proof vents for your attic, soffits, and crawl spaces
- Make sure your house number is clearly visible, and don’t park on the street
- Have enough garden hoses to reach every place around your home
- When it’s time to remodel or add-on, use approved ignition-resistant materials for roofing, siding, decks, windows, fences, patio covers, and stairs
PLEASE! Help us to keep Marin Valley a SAFE FIREWISE Community