Prepare Now for Wildland Fires
We have had an excellent run with good moisture and mild temperatures. But alas, summer is starting to make its presence known. Topsoil moisture is beginning to dry out in most areas, and it is only a matter of time until we start seeing stress in our perennial grasses. We still have plenty of grazing for our cattle and we have made tremendous amounts of hay.
With the expected dry conditions going forward, fires will be of the biggest concerns due to the large amount of fuel in the country. I hope we will continue to see some rainfall throughout the summer and things will remain green with no fire worries until frost- either way it is good to be prepared.
In case of wildfire, a quick response is critical to saving your home, shop, or other buildings.
One thing we do not often think about is: can firefighters find my home and what kind of access do they have. Fire trucks are larger and heavier than normal vehicles and it is essential that all access lanes are wide enough, have proper clearance, and can support the weight of fire vehicles.
Here are a few tips from the Texas A&M Forest Service to help improve access to your property: ■ Signage
■ At least 3-inches tall
■ Words on a contrasting color background
■ Made of reflective material
■ Made of fire-resistant material- there are a lot of wooden ranch signs out there
■ Visible from both directions
■
Addresses
Streets should be labeledhaving different names and numbers If other homes are located on the same lane, your home should have its own house number and be in numerical order along your street If your home is set back from the street, post your address at the end of your driveway where it is visible from the street If multiple homes share a single driveway, post all addresses at the entrance from the street and at each appropriate intersection along the driveway
Roads
■ Plan roads to allow for safe evacuation and firefighter access
■ Public and private streets should be a minimum of 10 feet wide to allow two traffic lanes
■ Curves and intersections should be wide enough for large fire equipment to easily pass and turn
■ Roads and driveways must not be too steep or have sharp curves
■ Be sure limbs and other obstructions are trimmed or removed
■ Dead end streets and long driveways should have a turnaround area designed as a T or circle large enough to allow emergency equipment to turn around We are mostly all aware of the potential fire dangers and work to prevent them.
This is an excellent time to look at your properties access and to be sure firefighters can get in if need be.
We certainly have no need to complain about the year we have had, but conditions do and will eventually change. Take some time now to be sure you are ready when the potential for wildfire increases.