Brush Fire Season 2008   are you prepared?

Most Floridians are accustomed to preparing for hurricane season, but many don't realize that brush fire season lasts just as long and can be just as deadly.  From December to June, during brushfire season, wildfires are easily ignited because of the dry weather conditions.  Traditionally during the winter and spring, the temperature and humidity is lower and the wind blows stronger.  Combine these conditions with a person who is careless with fire, and out-of-control wildfire may be the result.

Bonita Springs Fire Chief Phil Kinsey, Jr. offers the following tips for reducing the potential for brush fires:

• Reduce the amount of fuel, such as trees and shrubs, near your home.  Keep a clearance of 30 feet around structures.  Make trees more fire-resistant by removing dead limbs, and clear away any brush, fallen leaves or pine needles.
• Wood, such as firewood or lumber, should be stored away from your home.
• Even the smallest spark, such as discarded cigarette, can ignite dry, brittle vegetation. Carelessness is one of the major causes of brush fires.
• Inspect nearby power lines to make sure limbs are cleared to a safe distance.
• Follow local burning regulations.  In Bonita Springs, burn permits are regulated through the Division of Forestry at (239) 690-3502.
• Remove small trees, yard debris, dead ground fuels and shrubs beneath large trees.
• Clean gutters and roofs of needles and leaves at least twice a year.
• Check chimneys for accumulation of soot.
• Dispose of charcoal or hot ashes safely.
• Keep flammable liquids in unbreakable containers and stored in a safe location.
• Call 9-1-1 immediately at the first sign of smoke or fire in a wooded area.
• Any suspicious activity near the area of a brush fire should be reported to the Division of Forestry's Arson Alert Hotline at (239) 690-3502.

Landscaping tips that may save your home  provided by, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Through proper landscaping you can help to protect and preserve your homestead from wildland brush fires.  Having the right landscaping material and proper design can help fight fire in two ways:

• It breaks the ladder that fire uses to move from the brush to your residence

• It provides adequate space for fire fighters to defend your home if a brush fire threatens

Designing a safe landscape

Characteristics to look for in plants to use in your fire-safe landscape:

• Drought Resistant

• Native

• Low Maintenance

• Adaptable to wide variety of soils

A list of some plants that may work well in a brushfire area:

• Grasses  Bahia, St. Augustine (but only irrigate when signs of water stress are evident)

• Ground Cover  Liriope, Mondo Grass, Zebrina, Asparagus Fern, Rheo, Coontie, Wedelia, Purple Queen and Dwarf Lantana

• Shrubs  Japanese Privet, Dracena, Oleander, Lantana, Century Plant, Spanish Bayonet and Jatropha

• Short Trees  Sweet Accacia, Spiny Black Olive, Silver Buttonwood and Crape Myrtle

• Medium Trees  Loquat, Tabebuias, Sea Grape, Pigeon Plum and Green Buttonwood

• Tall Trees  Gumbo Limbo, Oaks, Jaranda, Red Mulberry, Satin Leaf, Redbay and Mahogany

• Palms  Alexander, Pindo, King & Queen Sago and Pigmy Date 

Laying out the design

• ZONE 1 - Buffer area....use grass, ground cover, shrubs, a limited number of short trees

• ZONE 2 - Approach....wide enough for fire equipment to negotiate, 12' wide minimum with no sharp curves, be careful with trees extending into driveway that may obstruct fire equipment

• ZONE 3 - Entrance to house off of road....address #'s 6" high, reflective, visible from both directions.  Be sure it's not hidden behind tree limbs or shrubs

• ZONE 4 - Area inside property lines, outside of buffer area....can have more trees and shrubs however continuity should be broken up so as not to lead fire to residence

• ZONE 5 - Adjacent property....any Sabal Palms, Palmettos or Melaleuca should be noted in your fire plan, may need to set more sprinklers on this side to use if a fire approaches

All vegetation burns under the right circumstances.  The intensity at which it burns varies as does its ability to carry fire from one area to another.

Plants to be aware of that could cause problems in a brushfire

• These plants and trees are drought resistant. 

• They capitalize on fire eliminating competing vegetation. 

• They spark and burn ferociously even when green. 

• They can send off embers that may start spot fires up to a 1/4 mile ahead of the main fire.