Wildfire Preparedness Day of Service

Wildfire Preparedness Day of Service May 4, 2013

The Grand County Fire Departments invite homeowners to join with all Colorado residents to take action on May 4th for Wildfire Preparedness Day of Service. Grab a friend, your entire family, or join a group of neighbors and participate in the statewide Wildfire Preparedness Day of Service on Saturday, May 4, 2013.

You might be asking – what can I do in one day to be safer from wildfire? And the answer is a lot! What does a “wildfire service project” look like? Your project can be as simple as spending time talking or texting with neighbors and friends. Or you can get your hands dirty with a clean-up around your home or in your neighborhood.

Project ideas:

• Rake up pine needles and dry leaves within a minimum of 3 to 5 feet of a home’s foundation.
• If you have time and enough help – continue removing pine needles and leaves up to a 30 foot distance around the home. Dispose of collected debris in appropriate trash receptacles.
• Get out your measuring tape and see how close wood piles are located to the home. If closer than 30 feet, they need to be relocated and moved at least 30 feet away from structures.
• Sweep porches and decks, clearing them of leaves and pine needles. Rake under decks, porches, sheds and play structures. Make sure to remove and dispose of debris.
• Mow grasses to a height of four inches or less.
• Use hand pruners and loppers to remove low-hanging tree branches up to a height of 4 to 6 feet from the ground.
• Remove anything that can burn from under decks and porches and relocate it to a storage shed, garage, or basement. Gasoline cans and portable propane tanks should never be stored indoors and should be located away from the home.

The Grand County Fire Departments suggest that residents focus on their home defensible space on May 4th, or if weather is a barrier, work on personal preparedness by constructing a 72-hour kit, following Firewise and Ready, Set, Go! guidance for family emergency plans and supplies.

For more information, visit www.firewise.org/dayofservice or click on the fire department links below.