Prevention and Safety

Practice Wildfire Safety

People start most wildfires... find out how you can promote and practice wildfire safety.
Contact your local fire department, health department, or forestry office for information on fire laws. Make sure that fire vehicles can get to your home. Clearly mark all driveway entrances and display your name and address.
Report hazardous conditions that could cause a wildfire.
Teach children about fire safety. Keep matches out of their reach.
Post fire emergency telephone numbers.
Plan several escape routes away from your home by car and by foot.
Talk to your neighbors about wildfire safety. Plan how the neighborhood could work together after a wildfire. Make a list of your neighbors' skills, such as medical or technical. Consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as elderly or disabled persons. Make plans to take care of children who may be on their own if parents can't get home.

Protect Your Home

Regularly clean roof and gutters.
Inspect chimneys at least twice a year. Clean them at least once a year. Keep the dampers in good working order. Equip chimneys and stovepipes with a spark arrester that meets the requirements of National Fire Protection Association Code 211. (Contact your local fire department for exact specifications.)
Use 1/2-inch mesh screen beneath porches, decks, floor areas, and the home itself. Also, screen openings to floors, roof, and attic.
Install a smoke detector on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms; test monthly and change the batteries at least once each year.
Teach each family member how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type) and show them where it's kept.
Keep a ladder that will reach the roof.
Consider installing protective shutters or heavy fire-resistant drapes.
Keep handy household items that can be used as fire tools: a rake, axe, handsaw or chainsaw, bucket, and shovel.

Create a 30- to 100-Foot Safety Zone Around Your Home.

Within this area, you can take steps to reduce potential exposure to flames and radiant heat. Homes built in pine forests should have a minimum safety zone of 100 feet. If your home sits on a steep slope, standard protective measures may not suffice. Contact your local fire department or forestry for additional information.
Rake leaves, dead limbs, and twigs. Clear all flammable vegetation.
Remove leaves and rubbish from under structures and dispose of them properly.
Thin a 15-foot space between tree crowns, and remove limbs within 15 feet of the ground.
Remove dead branches that extend over the roof.
Prune tree branches and shrubs within 15 feet of a stovepipe or chimney outlet.
Ask the power company to clear branches from power lines.
Remove vines from the walls of the home.
Mow grass regularly.
Clear a 10-foot area around propane tanks and the barbecue. Place a screen over the grill--use non-flammable material with mesh no coarser than one-quarter inch.
Regularly dispose of newspapers and rubbish at an approved site. Follow local burning regulations.
Place stove, fireplace, and grill ashes in a metal bucket, soak in water for two days, then bury the cold ashes in mineral soil.
Store gasoline, oily rags, and other flammable materials in approved safety cans. Place cans in a safe location away from the base of buildings.
Stack firewood at least 100 feet away and uphill from your home. Clear combustible material within 20 feet. Use only UL-approved wood-burning devices.

Plan Your Water Needs

Identify and maintain an adequate outside water source such as a small pond, cistern, well, swimming pool, or hydrant.
Have a garden hose that is long enough to reach any area of the home and other structures on the property.
Install freeze-proof exterior water outlets on at least two sides of the home and near other structures on the property. Install additional outlets at least 50 feet from the home.
Consider obtaining a portable gasoline-powered pump in case electrical power is cut off.

When Wildfire Threatens

If you are warned that a wildfire is threatening your area, listen to your battery-operated radio for reports and evacuation information. Follow the instructions of local officials.
Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape. Shut doors and roll up windows. Leave the key in the ignition. Close garage windows and doors, but leave them unlocked. Disconnect automatic garage door openers.
Confine pets to one room. Make plans to care for your pets in case you must evacuate.
Arrange temporary housing at a friend or relative's home outside the threatened area.

Emergency Supplies

When wildfire threatens, you won't have time to shop or search for supplies. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit with items you may need if advised to evacuate. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks, dufflebags, or trash containers.

Include:

A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't spoil.
One change of clothing and footwear per person and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.
A first aid kit that includes your family's prescription medications.
Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries.
An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash, or traveler's checks.
Sanitation supplies.
Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
An extra pair of eyeglasses.
Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Assemble a smaller version of your kit to keep in the trunk of your car.

Create a Family Disaster Plan

Wildfire and other types of disasters--hurricane, flood, tornado, earthquake, hazardous material spill, winter storm--can strike quickly and without warning. You can cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together. Meet with your family to create a disaster plan, prepare the necessary evacuation materials, and practice your family emergency drill at least once a year.

Camping Safety Tips

Whether Idaho is home or a favorite vacation spot, we all need to work together. If you are going to be camping, know and follow the rules for the safe use of fire.

Useful Links:

Prevention & Education - National Interagency Fire Center
Firewise - National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Protection Program
Greater Kootenai County Fire Prevention Co-op
Official Smokey Bear Home Page
Smokey Bear Historical State Park
Play "Living with Fire" - an educational, interactive game about managing wildland fire in the Northern Rockies
FEMA's Disaster Area for Kids - learn more about a variety of natural disasters, including wildfire, through interactive games and activities
Northwest Fire Prevention Education

Permits

From May 10 to October 20, The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) requires a permit for all fires. Though in some areas, this requirement may be year-round. Contact you local fire department or district for more information.

For more information on campfire restrictions under Idaho statute law, go to:

http://www3.state.id.us/cgi-bin/newidst?sctid=380010016.K

Building and putting our a campfire

Clear all flammable material away form the fire for a minimum of five feet in all direction.

Select a level spot far enough away from trees, overhead branches, bushes, dry grass, and logs.

Have a shovel available at the campfire site for preparing and extinguishing your campfire.

Have a responsible person in attendance at all times.

Extinguish campfire with water, using the drown, stir and feel method.

Charcoal Briquets

After using the burning charcoal briquets soak the coals with lost of water, stir them and soak again. Carefully feel the coals with your bare hands to be sure the coals are completely out

Smoking

If you smoke outside a vehicle, be sure you do so within a clear area at least 3 feet in diameter.

Lanterns, Stoves, and Heaters

Make sure your lanterns, stoves, and heaters are cool before refueling.
Place them on the ground in a cleared area and fill them.
If fuel spills, move the appliance to a new clearing before lighting it.
Recap and store flammable liquid containers in a safe place.
Never light lanterns and stoves inside a tent, trailer, or camper. If you use a lantern or stove inside a tent or trailer, be sure to have adequate ventilation

Spark Arresters

A spark arrestor is an interwoven wire used to catch sparks or other tiny flaming debris caught in the exhaust gas current of all types of equipment and vehicles. This includes chain saws, portable generators, ATV’s and trail bikes. Spark arrestors are required if such equipment is used in or near grass, brush or wooded area.

Contact the local forest service to make sure that your spark arrester is working properly

Air Quality

There are many dangers involved with wildland fires, but some are more discreet than others. The smoke generated from fires affects the quality of air we breathe, and when smoke levels are high, your health is at risk.

Smoke is primarily made up of small particles, gases and water vapor, but the most harmful particles are smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. If inhaled, these particles can damage lung tissue and cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

Symptoms form short-term smoke exposure:

scratchy throat;
cough;
irritated sinuses;
headaches;
runny nose; and
stinging eyes

People with asthma, emphysema, congestive heart disease and other existing medical conditions may experience more serious reactions.

Air Quality Test

Based on visibility range, it is possible to estimate air quality, identify potential health risks and determine appropriate exertion levels. Follow these steps to make a test visibility range. Generally, as your ability to see lowers, smoke danger rises.

Face away from sun.
Determine the limit or your visibility range by looking for targets at known distances (miles). Visibility range is the point at which even high contrast objects totally disappear.
Use the visibility range values below to determine the applicable health category.

Visibility Range	Health Category	Health Effects*
10+ miles	Good	None
5 - 10 miles	Moderate	Usually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.
3 - 5 miles	Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	Sensitive people should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
1½ - 3 miles	Unhealthy	Sensitive people should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
1 - 1½ miles	Very Unhealthy	Sensitive people should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
1 mile or less	Hazardous	Sensitive people should remain indoors and keep activity levels low. Everyone else should avoid all physical activity outdoors.

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