Prepare Now for Wildfires
The 2022 wildfire season is doing massive damage. As of July 8, 4,685,808 acres had burned across the country since January 1, 2022, up from 1,729,732 acres over the same period in 2021, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Anyone who lives in a drought-prone area is vulnerable, and even city-dwellers may need to protect themselves from smoke. Here are a few steps to take to defend your property and health.
Landscape with fire in mind. For instance, use stone walls and gravel as fire breaks. Consider fire-resistant shrubs such as sumac and cotoneaster and plants like coreopsis and French lavender, says the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire).
Rethink building materials. Consider noncombustible siding materials, such as fiber cement, brick veneer, and stucco, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety recommends. When reroofing, make sure the shingles are labeled Class A—the highest fire-resistance rating—by UL.
Fire often spreads from home to home via fences and decks, the IBHS says. So if you have a wood or vinyl fence, replace the section next to your house—at least 5 feet—with metal. For decks, opt for a metal-joist substructure.
Clear away combustibles. Move flammable materials at least 5 feet from your home, decks, and overhangs. Move wood piles at least 30 feet away. Avoid outdoor furniture that can easily catch fire, such as wicker or hardwood seating. Check CalFire's guide for more on creating a defensible space around your property.
Keep the yard clean. Regularly remove fallen leaves, dead plants, and pine needles in gutters, under decking, and within 30 feet of your home. Trim tree branches to at least 10 feet from your chimney and other trees, and remove branches over your roof. Use stone or gravel mulches, not organic ones. Keep your grass cut to no higher than 4 inches.
Have an evacuation plan. Build a go bag. Plan escape routes and set up communication plans in advance. If time permits before evacuating, close and lock windows and doors, and shut off utilities (see below).
Learn
How to
Build a ‘Go Bag’
Contents should include:
1.
Water and nonperishable, nutritious food.
2.
Phone charger, flashlight, and radio (battery or hand-crank).
3.
Change of clothes, sturdy shoes, personal items.
4.
IDs, personal docs, key contacts, maps, cash in small bills.
5.
First-aid kit and meds.
6.
Duct tape.
For more info, including a complete supply list for sheltering in place, go to the federal government's Ready website.
Illustration: Rodrigo Damati
For more info, including a complete supply list for sheltering in place, go to the federal government's Ready website.
Buy an effective air purifier. The air purifiers that do well in Consumer Reports tests proved in our labs to be good at filtering dust, smoke, and pollen from the air. Multiple studies of room air purifiers show that using HEPA filters results in reductions of 50 percent or higher in particulate matter. In one 2018 study of about 130 households, filtration resulted in about 30 percent reduction in coarse particles, like dust.
Practice packing and fleeing. “Give yourself 30 minutes to leave,” says David Ofwono, director of First on Compliance, an emergency preparedness consulting company based in California. “Sometimes a wildfire moves so fast, that’s all the time people have.” Have face masks on hand, ideally N95s.
Learn
How to
Shut Off Your Utilities
1.
Label electrical box, and water and gas shutoff valves.
2.
Practice shutting off water; replace defective parts.
3.
Consult your utility on gas shutoffs; guidance and equipment vary by area. (Always have a pro turn gas back on.)
4.
If you have time, unplug appliances and shut off water and electricity (individual breakers first, then main circuit).
5.
Smell gas? Leave. Call 911 or the utility.
Editor’s Note: A version of this article also appeared in the July 2021 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
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