Page 5 - Sonoma County Gazette 6-20

A Lesson on Defensible Space NOTHING 30 to 100
feet from my house?
The concept is DEFENSIBLE not BARREN.
It means that your yard is cleared of dry brush and dead branches are trimmed off trees and bushes. That you don't have vegetation with high oil content that will burst into flames when fire gets near them, such as Bay Laurel and Oleander.
It also means that you mulch gardens with compost or decomposed mulch instead of bark that can ignite and fly in high winds. Use rock, stone, and other non-flammable products for paths.
Firefighters will tell you that wooden fencing is the first thing they eliminate because fire travels house to house along wood privacy fences. They DEFEND homes by eliminating paths fire travels along.
If you think like fire and firefighters, when you look around your property to see what will easily catch fire, you will see how to reduce risk so your home can be DEFENDED in fires and high winds.
Neighbor to Neighbor
Cooperation among neighbors is part of creating Defensible Space. If you clear your property of flammable material then look at your next door neighbors and see that they have a high risk property...what can you do to feel safe?
There are two potential solutions.
One is to have a neighborhood meeting and coordinate your efforts for fire safety: share evacuation plans & maps; learn how to defend homes together while waiting for firefighters and first responders.
Identify who has long hoses. Turn off gas lines at every house. Help elderly and disabled people. Have someone watch the kids while others organize defenses.
Make plans to work together in an emergency so the entire neighborhood has a chance to survive.
TM
TM
707-874-5500
Visit our website for more information and testimonial of satisfied customers
We can be part of your plan.
Working on multiple properties in a neighborhood saves everyone money. The more properties included in the job the less expensive for each and you know your community is ready for fire season.
If we evaluate a tree as hazardous, we will help you negotiate with your neighbor to split the expense of removing the hazard. Because people know our reputation for quality work and responsible crews, your neighbor will trust our opinion when we explain the hazard and what it will take to fix it.
Together, you, your neighbors, and Fine Tree Care can create Defensibe Space in time for high fire season.
6/20 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 5