FIRE HAZARD ASSESSMENT

Wildfire is a hazard wherever people and residential developments intermix with the wildlands. However The degree of hazard and the required amount of fire safety measures vary from area to area. Identifying Areas of differing severity provides for the application of reasonable fire-safe standards based on the actual threat present. However, remember that there is a baseline of fire prevention or fire-safe activities that must be applied to obtain a basic level of protection.

 Local government land use planning agencies have identified and classified areas of varying fire hazard Severity and specified the conditions under which development and use of these areas could/may occur.

 Private land owners can take advantage of the information and knowledge gained from the fire hazard severity project and many others. What hazard zone is your home in? If you know what you have, what’s around you and what to expect… Then and only then can you develop a plan to fully survive a wildfire! 

Insurance companies have shown a significant interest in WildLand fire hazard assessment following the Painted Cave (1990) and Tunnel (1991) fires.

To take effective action, Home owners must understand the elements, components and factors that Contribute to the problem. The expertise of the assessor and the complexity of the problem need to be Considered when selecting an assessment process. American Eagle Fire Protection Services can assist local agencies, Home owners/Land Owners in developing their fire hazard assessment analysis.

 So the first thing you can do is get a WildFire Hazard Assessment Analysis of your property… Based on that assessment you then develop a Specific Fire Protection Plan to protect your home and property from wildfire. This is a site specific plan in that it is unique to your home and property. Though having similar environmental factors that will affect your neighbors that we can’t influence… we can influence the micro-climate around your home and property.

 Be Wildfire Ready

 More and more people are making their homes in woodland settings, rural areas or remote Mountain sites. There, residents enjoy the beauty of the environment but face the very real danger of wild fires. Wildfires often begin unnoticed. They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees and homes. In a wild fire, every second counts! 

You’re Responsibility:

 California law (PRC 4291) requires property owners and/or occupants to create 100 feet of Defensable Space around homes and buildings. Your Goal is to Create a: 

• Clean and Green Zone. An area of 30 feet immediately surrounding your home.
• Reduced Fuel Zone:  The fuel reduction zone in the remaining 70 feet (or to the property line).

*Compliance to PRC 4291 is required by any person who owns, leases, controls, operates or maintains A building or structure in or adjoining any mountainous area, forest-covered lands, brush-covered Lands, grass-covered lands or any land that is covered with flammable material and is within the State Responsibility Area.  PRC 4291 requires 100 feet of Defensible Space (or to the property line if less than 100feet) from every building or structure that is used for support or shelter of any use or occupancy .

Owner, lessee or operator must also comply with all existing environmental protection laws and

Must obtain all necessary permits. Contact your local resource or planning agency officials to Ensure compliance with federal, state and local requirements.     

If your home or property has comliance issues please contact us as soon as you can, we can help.                   

1) Get Your Home and Property Evaluated. 

2) Develope a Fire Protection Plan for your Home and Property.

3) Implement Your Fire Protection Plan.

 Every year across our Nation, some homes survive - while many others do not - after a major wildfire. Those that survive almost always do so because their owners had prepared for the eventuality of fire, which is an inescapable force of nature in fire-prone wildland areas. Said in another way - if it's predictable, it's preventable! No Home has to burn ever!

Wildfires often begin unnoticed. These fires are usually triggered by lightning or accidents. They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees, and homes. Reduce your risk by preparing now - before wildfire strikes. Meet with your family to decide what to do and where to go if wildfires threaten your area. Follow the steps listed below to protect your family, home, and property.

The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your property in the event of a fire.

• To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
• Design and landscape your home with wildfire safety in mind. Select materials and plants that can help contain fire rather than fuel it.
• Use fire-resistant or noncombustible materials on the roof and exterior structure of the dwelling, or treat wood or combustible material used in roofs, siding, decking or trim with fire-retardant chemicals evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
• Plant fire-resistant shrubs and trees. For example, hardwood trees are less flammable than pine, evergreen, eucalyptus or fir trees.
• Regularly clean roof and gutters.
• Inspect chimneys at least twice a year. Clean them at least once a year. Keep the dampers in good working order. Equip chimneys and stovepipes with a spark arrester that meets the requirements of National Fire Protection Association Standard 211. (Contact American Eagle Fire Protection for specifications.)
• Use 1/8-inch mesh screen beneath porches, decks, floor areas, and the home itself. Also, screen openings to floors, roof and attic.
• Install a dual-sensor smoke alarm on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms; test monthly and change the batteries at least once each year.
• Teach each family member how to use a fire extinguisher (ABC type) and show them where it's kept.
• Keep handy household items that can be used as fire tools: a rake, axe, handsaw or chain saw, bucket and shovel.
• Keep a ladder that will reach the roof.
• Consider installing protective shutters or heavy fire-resistant drapes.
• Clear items that will burn from around the house, including wood piles, lawn furniture, barbecue grills, tarp coverings, etc. Move them outside of your defensible space.

 American Eagle Fire protection Services offer Wildfire Assesment Services for:

•  Individual Homes and Properties 
•  Comunities
•  Home Owner associations
•  Realtors
•  Land Developers
•  Investors
•  Business
•  Nature Conservancies and Stewardships
• The Insurance Communities 

 In a speach made by Fire Ecologist Dr. Harold Biswell at the University of Califirnia School of Forestry in 1980... Dr. Biswell made suggestions that may help us appreciate our place on a long list of fire-adapted species in California: " Keep in mind that fire is a natural part of the environment, about as important as rain and sunshine. Fire has always been here and everthing good evolved with it...[so] we must work more in harmany with nature, not so much against it"  

Once we address the Wildfire issues associated with our place in this fire-adapted environment we can then develope a fire protection strategy that is simple and makes since.

Call us for a Wildfire Assesment at any time... We will be Glad to help.

What does a Wildfire Assesment consist of?

 This is a site specific assesment in that it is unique to your home and property even though having similar environmental factors affecting or influenced by adjoining properties.

 The assessment will cover up 100 elements of your home, property and community based on NFPA 1144, Ca PRC 4291 – 4299 and will conform toYour local authority having jusisdictions Fire Codes, Ordinances and Fire Safe Standards. 

 For example:

 Your Home and Property

 A. Subdivision Design

 B. Vegetation

 C. Topography

 D. Building Construction

 E. Available Fire Protection

 F. Utilities

 You’re Community

A. Community Design

B.  Vegetation

C. Topography

 Based on that assessment we can then develop a specific fire protection plan to protect your home and property from wildfire. This is the first step in protecting your home from wildfire. This assessment will require a couple hour site survey. It will then take several days to compile a summary of the findings. These findings will suggest how to make your home fire safe and/or comply with local fire codes, ordinances and standards.

Call us to get your Wildfire Assesment started as soon as you can. Educate, Assess and Plan are your first steps in Wildfire Protection. Lets get started.