24
Sep

Give us a call for a free estimate on wildfire mitigation (719)400-9104.

If you’re building a home in a zone that’s known for wildfires, you have a duty of care. It’s not just important to protect the home you’re building from wildfires, but you also want to make sure the entire area is a little safer.What can you do as a builder? Here’s your guide to make sure everyone is as safe as possible.

Protecting Against Wildfires

Wildfires can occur naturally or they start with human interaction. However, while they are dangerous, they are also essential for nature. That doesn’t mean they should spread to dangerous levels and you shouldn’t do what you can to mitigate as much damage to woodlands, grasslands, and forests as possible.

Hundreds of homes are damaged each year due to wildfires around the United States. Some are completely destroyed, while others look okay at first but pose internal dangers.
Part of the problem is that the fuel for the fires differs across the country. It’s important to understand the types of brush or trees that are going to cause a problem in your area. During the building process, you can factor in the expected dangers.
Most efforts for protecting homes has been about the prevention of wildfires. This is especially the case in parts of undeveloped forests that are becoming more popular for people to live in. While a building can’t be 100% fireproof, it’s possible for a builder to take steps to improve chances of survival for all.

The Construction of Buildings in Wildfire Zones

Topography and Weather

It’s not always possible to guess the direction a wildfire will spread, but in the majority of cases, they will follow the terrain of the land. And they will be factored directly by the weather. You need to think about where the property is going to be built. If you’re going to put the home on a ridgeline or in a ravine, you will find the house is more at risk of wildfire damage. This is the trajectory of most fires.

Look around the area to assess where strong winds come from and evaluate the possibility of the fire spreading. While your homeowner may want a building in a specific place, talk to them about the risks and suggest better placements.

Defensible Space

The best thing you can do is create defensible space around the home. Wildfires will travel where the vegetation is dry. The defensible space helps to reduce the fuel so the fire is less likely to spread. This land needs to be cleared and treated. You’ll also want to look at areas with fire-resistant vegetation to help offer protection.

The Type of Building Materials

While you can’t make buildings 100% fireproof, you can help make be them fire resistant. This is done through the right building materials, especially for sidings, decks, and roof coverings. Look out for material that is non-combustible as much as possible (both inside and out).

With the right building materials and planning, it’s possible to create a safer home. No, you can’t stop the wildfires but you can do as much as possible to prevent them spreading.
If you need help with wildfire mitigation project around your home, please call (719)400-9104, or e-mail office@coloradomastication.com. In addition to fire mitigation, we offer shrub removal, brush clearing, lot clearing.