Nearly 75 homes have been destroyed and hundreds of people evacuated around Fritch, Texas, some 30 miles northeast of Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle, according to emergency officials. The wildfire, driven by strong winds, has burned close to 1,500 acres of an area crippled by continued drought, increasing the risk for future wildfires.
To prepare for wildfire season, many residents across the state are taking steps to reduce their risk. Using proven principles for wildfire safety, 65 communities in Texas participate in the national Firewise Communities/USA® Recognition Program, which encourages residents to do their part to keep their homes and property safer from wildfire.
A list of all Texas Firewise-recognized sites can be found on the Firewise website.
Wildfire doesn’t have to burn everything in its path. In fact, effectively treating the home ignition zone can dramatically increase the chances of a home surviving. Cleaning the property of debris and maintaining the landscaping are important first steps. Below are actions residents can take to reduce their risk:
Clear leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves, porches and decks – and don’t use these areas for storage of flammable items. This helps prevent embers from igniting these materials.
Keep lawns hydrated and maintained. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire.
Remove flammable materials within five feet of the home’s foundation and outbuildings, including garages and sheds. If it can catch fire, don’t let it touch the house, deck or wood fencing.
Reduce vegetation surrounding the home’s perimeter from a 5 foot to 30 foot area and manage vegetation there to 200 feet or the property line, depending on the area’s wildfire risk. NFPA’s “basics of defensible space and the home ignition zone” page on the Firewise site provides these and other steps for homeowners to help them prepare homes/home landscapes to resist wildfire.
A comprehensive Firewise tips checklist and safety guidelines sheet for homeowners are also available.
Learn more about how to keep families safe and reduce homeowners’ risk for wildfire damage on NFPA’s wildfire division web page. Additionally, complimentary brochures, booklets, pamphlets, videos and much more can be found on the wildfire preparedness page and ordered online through NFPA’s online wildfire safety catalog.
