A “bug out bag” is a great way to make sure you’re prepared in an emergency, regardless of what that emergency is. The idea is that you have enough to survive three days. The term “bug out bag” has been used a lot by preppers, who are getting ready for a apocalyptic disaster. However, they are great to have for normal emergencies as water and power grids can go down for some time. Who Should Have a Bug Out Bag It’s worth it for everyone to have a bug out bag since you don’t know when an emergency will happen. However, if you’re in the Red Zone, you’re more likely to face a wildfire emergency that can lead to an
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When you hear the order to “evacuate now.,” you need to do so. Staying behind not only puts you at risk, but it puts the people who are trying to put out the fire at risk. They have to make sure the area is clear. The Surprising Speed of Wildfires You may not think the emergency order is all that serious. After all, you can’t see a fire close by. What will surprise you is that forest fires have the ability to travel at 14mph. A grass fire can travel at 28mph. The firebrands? Well, they travel at a surprising 60mph. You don’t always have time to act. With the right wind conditions for the fire, the fire that was
Call Colorado Mastication at (719)400-9104 for fire mitigation estimate for your community. We are equipped to handle small and large projects While you can do what you need to do to protect your home from wildfires, you need your neighbors to do the same. This is why community projects are so beneficial. They get everyone in the same area working toward the same goal. Firewise National Program There are a few programs out there, with Firewise being one of the most popular and effective. This program is administrated by the National Fire Protection Association, and it encourages a whole neighborhood to work on mitigating fire risks in the whole area. There is a three-step process for communities to follow. Three
Approaching fires lead to emotional stress, and this ends up greater due to a lack of communication. You need to know what’s going on and where you need to go. This is why a communication plan is essential. Make Sure You’re on the List Over the last few years, the Reverse 911 system not working effectively has been linked to numerous deaths during wildfires. In Colorado alone, the success rate is only around 50%! The circuits are overloaded during major disasters, because people are calling their own loved ones. It makes it harder for the official channels to get through. This is why it’s so important not to rely on one communication method. There are usually other options, but residents
As you prune and cut down trees for fire mitigation, you end up with a lot of slash to deal with. You need to get rid of this slash, otherwise it becomes fuel for fire78s to spread. In fact, you could increase the risk of a fire spreading faster than just leaving the branches on the trees! Fires spread by burning up fuel on the forest floor first. Hauling the Slash There are a few ways to deal with slash, and the first is hauling. You will pick up the debris and get rid of it, usually in a small pickup truck. Many counties will even have free collection sites that you can take it to, although some are only
Full questions about our fire services, call (719)400-9104. Pruning trees is important for fire mitigation. At the same time, you need to manage the levels of pruning to make sure you don’t harm the tree. Excessive pruning is a major problem to the life and health of the tree. Use the Right Tools for the Job You need to invest in good tools for pruning your trees. A sharp saw is necessary to ensure that any cut is smooth. This promotes faster healing for the tree branch. You are cutting a limb off the tree, after all! You’ll also want to make sure your tools are sterilized, just like a surgeon sterilizes their tools for surgery. Use alcohol or diluted
Windows and doors have frames around them. These frames are a risk when it comes to wildfires, and when it comes to buying or building a home, you need to look at how to protect your home. This doesn’t mean you need to get rid of the frames. It’s all about making the frames safer. When building, this is much easier. You’ll use the most up to date materials that are recommended for fire safety. When buying an existing home, you’ll need to make investments to make your home safer. The Risk of Frames The frame can quickly catch fire if you have the wrong materials. A lot of frames are made with some sort of wood or wood composite,
The windows are one of the most problematic parts of the home when it comes to wildfires. They break due to the different temperatures either side of the glass, and once the cracks start to form, the glass bursts. Breaking windows will lead to fires getting worse. You’re adding more oxygen to help fuel the fire. It’s important to protect the windows and prepare them for the chance of wildfires in the area. Consider Thermo-pane Windows If you’re looking for ways to keep your utility bills down, you’ll likely look into thermo-pane windows. These are great options for wildfire management, too. The glass has an extra layer of protection, which is harder to crack than the basic glass, offering a
Fire mitigation in Gilpin county. (719)400-9104. Prepare Home for Wildfires: Roofing The roof is one of the most important parts of the home to get right in wildfire-prone areas. The roof brings the greatest chance of fire as the canopy fires will drop down onto them. It’s important to get a Class A fire rating as much as possible, but you don’t need to worry about losing the aesthetics of the home. Reduce the Complexity of the Roof The first thing to consider when building a new home or replacing the roof is complexity. The more complex a roof is, the higher the chance there is for it to cause fire problems. Needles, leaves, and other debris will get into
Not all homes have a connection to the municipality water system. Your home, if it’s rural enough, could run on a well. There are still a lot of homes that use well water instead of city water. There are issues when it comes to fires. When getting the water for a fire, the well pump needs to constantly run. This can lead to draining the well and burning out the motor on the pump. It’s a costly repair. Even without a fire, you can run the risk of damaging the pump. In a fire, you have the issue of the electricity being cut, which means you need to look out for other ways to manage the fire. Avoid Too Much