20
Aug

Consider topography when working on fire mitigation for your home in Black Forest.

Topography is the way the land lays. It’s a major part when it comes to wildfires and is something you should look at when it comes to mitigating potential fires in the future.

Fires will usually burn uphill faster than they do downhill. Heat rises, and that means the flames will heat the fuel uphill, allowing the fire to catch easier. Plus, there are often updrafts that help to spread fires faster.

The Steepness of the Slope Affects Everything

Steeper slopes make it much easier for the fires to spread up the hill. You’ll find they spread much faster, and this often means more of a danger for houses at the top.

The steeper slopes make it easier to heat up the fuel ahead of it. The fire then burns much faster through the fuel until it runs out. If you do have a house at the top of a hill, you’ll need to look at the steepness to figure out the amount of space needed between the fuel and your house. The good news is a good builder will have this considered.

South-Facing vs. North-Facing Slopes

It’s not just about the steepness. The direction the slopes face will also affect just how easy it is for the fire to burn.

South-facing slopes will be in the sun all day. This leads to the vegetation becoming hotter and drier. You know that the heat is needed to burn. The hotter and drier the fuel is, the better fuel it is for the fire.

North-facing slopes tend to avoid most of the sun, especially during the hottest parts of the day. This helps to reduce the risk of the fire spreading because the vegetation is likely to hold some of the moisture.

Valley slopes are even more dangerous. It doesn’t matter which way the slopes face as the sun is usually at the top. The wind also blows between the ravine, which means there is more air to help spread the fire throughout the area. Small gaps and ravines can end up being fire magnets because of the way the wind will blow.

The most dangerous element to have near the house is a box canyon. This is a channel, and it will trap the heat within.

Topography That Helps Slow Down Fires

There is some good news. Topography can work in your favor. If you have ponds, roads, and even trails, you create gaps within the fuel. It helps to reduce the spread of the fire, which is why you want buffer zones around your house where there is absolutely no vegetation to act as a fire break.

You’ll also need to find land that is far enough away from others. Your neighbors’ houses become fuel, so you want to have a good amount of space between to avoid major fire problems.

For questions about fire mitigating your house in Black Forest, call us at (719)400-9104.