Wildland fires continue to be an urgent, complex, and expensive hazard in the American West. Large fires are becoming a near-annual occurrence all across the globe as fire regimes continue to change with warming temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns. The western United States is no exception.
In 2014, the largest wildfire in recorded history for Washington State occurred, the 256,000 acre Carlton Complex Fire destroyed over 300 homes (Halofsky, 2020). The 2018, Camp Fire in Butte County, CA burned a total of 153,336 acres, resulted in 85 civilian fatalities and several firefighter injuries, and destroyed 18,804 structures (CalFire, 2019).
Human caused climate change and the subsequent warming of our planet has resulted in shifts of climate zones, primarily as an increase in and expansion of those regions that are currently dry. Resulting in new, hot climates in tropical regions and a shift of climate zones poleward in the mid-to-high latitudes and upward in elevations. A warming climate will have acute effects on fire frequency, extent, and possibly severity in the Northwest (Halofsky, 2020).
Over the twentieth century in the Northwest, years with relatively warm and dry conditions have generally corresponded with larger fires and greater numbers of acres burned. The increase in the duration of warmer and drier weather creates large areas of dry fuels which are more likely to ignite and can sustain and allow large fires to
grow (Halofsky, 2020).
Over 87% of the Western U.S. is currently under drought conditions (NIFC, 2021). As the drought expands and intensifies, risks of wildfire ignitions increase and the duration/severity of fire events magnifies.
Weather predictions for the next few months indicate above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation which exacerbates the hazard.
Given the drought conditions, predicted weather, and variability of thunderstorms and sporadic timing and behavior of wind events, the wildfire outlook for summer and fall of 2021, across much of the west is grim.
Are you prepared? Wildfires can occur nearly anywhere. They do not only happen in the forests of the west and effect those living in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). Grain, or grass fires could be wind driven and spread to your neighborhood, a downed power line could spark a fire which will quickly run through fields or vacant lots.
From the National Fire Protection Association
What is the Home Ignition Zone?
The concept of the home ignition zone was developed by retired USDA Forest Service fire scientist Jack Cohen in the late 1990s, following some breakthrough experimental research into how homes ignite due to the effects of radiant heat. The HIZ is divided into three zones.
Immediate Zone
The home and the area 0-5’ from the furthest attached exterior point of the home; defined as a non-combustible area. Science tells us this is the most important zone to take immediate action on as it is the most vulnerable to embers. START WITH THE HOUSE ITSELF then move into the landscaping section of the Immediate Zone.
Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris and pine needles that could catch embers.
Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration.
Reduce embers that could pass through vents in the eaves by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening.
Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install 1/8 inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers.
Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
Move any flammable material away from wall exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn. Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.Â
Intermediate Zone
5-30’ from the furthest exterior point of the home. Landscaping/hardscaping- employing careful landscaping or creating breaks that can help influence and decrease fire behavior
Clear vegetation from under large stationary propane tanks.
Create fuel breaks with driveways, walkways/paths, patios, and decks.
Keep lawns and native grasses mowed to a height of four inches.
Remove ladder fuels (vegetation under trees) so a surface fire cannot reach the crowns. Prune trees up to six to ten feet from the ground; for shorter trees do not exceed 1/3 of the overall tree height.
Space trees to have a minimum of eighteen feet between crowns with the distance increasing with the percentage of slope.
Tree placement should be planned to ensure the mature canopy is no closer than ten feet to the edge of the structure.
Tree and shrubs in this zone should be limited to small clusters of a few each to break up the continuity of the vegetation across the landscape.
Extended Zone
30-100 feet, out to 200 feet. Landscaping – the goal here is not to eliminate fire but to interrupt fire’s path and keep flames smaller and on the ground.
Dispose of heavy accumulations of ground litter/debris.
Remove dead plant and tree material.
Remove small conifers growing between mature trees.
Remove vegetation adjacent to storage sheds or other outbuildings within this area.
Trees 30 to 60 feet from the home should have at least 12 feet between canopy tops.*
Trees 60 to 100 feet from the home should have at least 6 feet between the canopy tops.*
**Download the Firewise Brochure for tips on how to protect yourself and your home.
Be prepared, alert, stay safe and enjoy the Summer
As we say in Hazard Planning - Hazards are inevitable, Disasters do not have to be.
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References
Calfire. 2019. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. May 19, 2019. News Release
Halofsky et al. 2020. Fire Ecology. 16:4
NIFC. 2021. National Interagency Fire Center. Narrative Report on Fire Conditions
Tania Schoennagel, Jennifer K. Balch, Hannah Brenkert-Smith, Philip E. Dennison, Brian J. Harvey, Meg A. Krawchuk, Nathan Mietkiewicz, Penelope Morgan, Max A. Moritz, Ray Rasker, Monica G. Turner, Cathy Whitlock. 2017. Adapt to more wildfire in western North American forests as climate changes
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences May 2017, 114 (18) 4582-4590