|
..................................................
About this
site
How was my
property rated?
What is my Wildfire hazard Rating?
Improve
Your Hazard Rating
Frequently
Asked Questions
Firewise
Links
..................................................
|
Improving Your Properties Wildland Fire Hazard Rating
Three factors influence the spread of a wildfire. They
are topography, weather and fuels. Fuels include vegetation (living and
dead) and structures (including roofs, siding, and decks).
Statistics and visits to past wildland fire sites show
that modifying fuels have a positive effect on a home’s ability to
survive a wildfire! It is impossible to guarantee a home will survive a
wildfire but by incorporating fuel mitigation strategies and vegetation
management techniques; hardening the structure; and performing annual
maintenance, your home’s chance of survival is significantly increased.
These preventive measures are important to provided an increased level
of protection during the time it takes a wildfire to pass.
The Wildland-Urban Interface is defined as "a line, area
or zone where structures and other human development meet or intermingle
with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels". Homes built in the
wildland-urban interface are susceptible to wildland fire. Steep
terrain, canyons and ravines, along with critical fire weather, increase
the wildland fire potential. The Moraga-Orinda Fire District possesses
all of these factors.
What can you do to reduce the wildland fire risk?
The following actions, along with regular maintenance,
will provide a safer wildland fire environment and you will be
Sharing The Responsibility for your wildland fire safety.
- A home’s roof is the most vulnerable part of the structure
during a fire. In an effort to reduce fire danger, the City of
Orinda has a roofing ordinance that requires a Class A roof in
specific areas and a Class B roof in all other areas. The Fire
District and the Town of Moraga strongly encourage residents of
the Town of Moraga to use fire resistive roofing within Town
limits. Currently there is no fire resistive roof requirements
within the Town of Moraga. For roofing requirements, contact the
Fire District.
Creating a defensible space around your home will enhance
your structure’s ability to survive a wildland fire. A
defensible space is an area free of seasonal vegetation growth,
fire resistive planting and fire safe plant maintenance. The
Fire District requires, through ordinance, a defensible space of
100 feet from the structure but not to exceed beyond the
property line. Property owners can obtain the Fire District
requirements for vegetation management and defensible space by
clicking on the icon "Fire District Vegetation Management
Standards/Requirements".
Provide a spark arrester for chimneys
Make sure the fire department can see your address (both day
and night) from the main street in front of your home.
If access to your property is over a bridge, make sure that
the bridge meets access requirements. This means the bridge must
support 40 tons, handling the weight of the fire apparatus.
Provide protection for balconies and decks. Do not store
items under the deck or balcony; remove vegetation from under
the structure; construct decks of ignition resistive materials
and provide an enclosure around the deck or balcony that resists
the intrusion of flame and embers.
Provide protection from the intrusion of embers and flame
into eave and vent openings in the structure. This may include
the use of fire resistive screening (screen openings no larger
than ¼ inch) over vents and eave openings.
Keep you family fire safe by having an escape plan. Make
sure all members of your family and anyone that may be caring for family
members know the evacuation routes from your home.
|
