After a fire, many homeowners wonder what to do with the trees in their landscape. It is important to determine which trees might recuperate and which will need to be removed. A publication by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension tells how to take care of residential trees after wildfire.
Article Written by:
Glenn Nader, University of California Cooperative Extension, Yuba City, CA
Ed Smith, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Reno, NV
The first step is to make sure every body and everything is ready to leave. Park the vehicles facing toward the road and load important documents and items. Prepare elderly, children, pets and any livestock for evacuation. If there is enough time, prepare the house for exposure to embers and flames. Accomplishing these items will be doable only …
Article Written by:
Glenn Nader, University of California Cooperative Extension, Yuba City, CA
Targeted grazing is the intentional use of livestock to modify vegetation by consumption to accomplish management goals. In terms of wildfire fuel reduction, targeted grazing is often used to reduce the amount, height and continuity of vegetation. For targeted grazing to be effective, it should be tied to fuel management objectives and tightly managed. Because targeted grazing focuses on modifying fuel characteristics and not animal production, it …
If there is a wildfire in your area you may need to get out and firefighters may need to get in, so build fire safety into your road or driveway designs and make plans for evacuation and access.
First, the road. Having more than one way into and out of a residential area is good in case one road gets blocked. Roads should be at least two lanes wide, with gentle curves and with enough space at the end for …
Photo source: Susie Heffernan
Prepare before the fire occurs by keeping the corrals and barns free of fuel (vegetation or hay) and have halters or facilities to load and remove the animals. Have an evacuation plan for livestock, including routes, transportation needs, and host site. Share your plan with your neighbors in case you are absent. Do not wait to the last minute to transport livestock as roads can become clogged and difficult to maneuver with a trailer. Make sure …
Article Written by:
Glenn Nader, University of California Cooperative Extension, Yuba City, CA
The concept for this and other similarly named programs (e.g., “Stay or Go,” “Leave Early or Stay and Defend”) is that if you have carefully planned for fire, implemented the plan before the fire starts, and are well prepared, then the risks of staying are greatly decreased. Preparation includes:
Article Written by:
Glenn Nader, University of California Cooperative Extension, Yuba City, CA
What it is like to be in a wildfire depends on the wind speed and the fuel in the area of the home. Embers will come first, followed by the fire front that can create intense heat, smoke, and noise. The darkness and roar of the fire can be great and extremely scary. Common descriptions are of a …
Article Written by:
Glenn Nader, University of California Cooperative Extension, Yuba City, CA
In some areas, residents will receive a recorded call and/or text message from an automated telephone notification system on their cell phone. If authorities have enough time and personnel, fire services, law enforcement, or emergency responders generally attempt to stop at homes to personally alert residents during the evacuation. Media outlets may announce the evacuation, or it may be placed on local government Web sites.
The automated …
