Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Beau Brodbeck

Regional Extension Agent

Forestry, Wildlife & Natural Resources

June 30, 2009

Is Your Home At Risk From Forest Fires?

Over the past five years, 212 homes have been damaged or destroyed as a result of wildfires in Alabama.  The Alabama Forestry Commission additionally recorded an estimated 806 vehicles, 736 structures and 247,000 acres damaged as a result of wildfires over the same time period.  Between the years of 2004 to 2008, a total of 17,000  forest fires have been recorded by Alabama Forestry Commission.   It is needless to say that forest fires are a major concern in Alabama.

(Bayou  la Batre 2007 home in danger of forest blaze, Alabama Forestry Commission picture)

However, in the midst of these appalling statistics, it is important to understand that fire is a natural part of Alabama’s pine forest ecosystem.   Actually there are many plant species that depend on fire for survival.  Additionally, fire in many cases enhances forest productivity and improves wildlife habitat by removing understory shrubs and trees that compete for soil nutrients and reduce wildlife forage on the forest floor.  This concept may seem a bit contradictory because fire is often associated with damaging, killing and destroying our forests.  In reality, the exclusion of fire has caused potentially dangerous situations, especially when combined with urban sprawl that is encroaching into these forested ecosystems.

Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau placed Baldwin County in the top 100 fastest growing counties in the Country.  Between July 2004 and July of 2005 Baldwin County gained 6,000 people according to the U.S. Census Bureau.  Growth and development force changes in land use and management.  New subdivisions, homes and infrastructure are growing into Alabama’s forests.  Considering that 71 percent of Alabama is covered by forests it becomes evident that there are likely to be conflicts and challenges between growing communities, forest resource managers, and the health of Alabama forests.

These challenges between urbanizing communities encroaching into forested areas have led to the concept of the Wildland Urban Interface or WUI.  WUI according to the Alabama Forestry Commission’s Stanley Anderson is defined as a “line, area, or zone where structures and other human/development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or natural areas.”  In other words, new development aimed at accommodating a growing population is beginning to move from town centers into the country.  This means more homes, structures, and vehicles growing into forested regions and increasing the potential chances of conflict.

(Bayou  la Batre 2007 forest fire aftermath, Alabama Forestry Commission picture)

Fire in our forested ecosystems serves several purposes.  First, as previously mentioned, improves overall forest health and wildlife habitat.  Secondly, it increases the usability of the forest by opening the understory and allowing for greater visibility and access.  Finally, fire reduces forest fuels or the storage of fallen pine needles, leaves, and dead wood that over time can accumulate on the forest floor.  This accumulation can lead to fires becoming excessively hot, dangerous, and lethal to even fire adapted plant species. 

These concepts were understood as far back as Native Americans who burned frequently.  Fire also occurs naturally through lightning strikes.  Without the presence of human infrastructure fires frequently burned unchecked, often covering thousands of acres.  Today, however, this luxury does not exist, especially when considering the expanding population into forested landscapes.  To compensate forest resource managers, understanding the need for fire,  use prescribed fire or controlled burns.  Controlled burns, as the name indicates, are fires that are set under certain parameters to ensure a safe and controlled fire to achieve a desired management goal.

However, this management tool, requiring a burn permit from the Alabama Forestry Commission, is becoming increasingly challenging to implement.  Many forested areas near and around communities are often not being burned because of the growing presences of subdivisions, homes, and roads, which increase the risk of the adverse effects of fire.  Sudden changes in wind speed or direction can lead to fire getting out of control or smoke moving into unwanted areas.  Thus many forest managers are increasingly feeling that the risks of burning near towns are too great.  Consequently, the vegetation or hazardous fuel available to feed wildfire continues to accumulate.

No fire…more fuel…a higher risk of dangerous forest fires.  Many forests around urban centers where many subdivisions are being built are being burned less frequently due to safety concerns.  Additionally, as Gerald Steely with the Alabama Forestry Commission notes “more people means more fires… 93% percent of wildland fires in the South are caused by people” and let’s not forget that arson is still the leading cause of wildfires.  The presents of people, homes and various infrastructures also means the logistics for fighting fires are more complex.  It is thus important to become “Firewise” and work to protect your home from the increasing risks of wildfires.

Protecting one’s home from wildfire is the homeowner’s responsibility, not the firefighters.  On high fire danger days with moderate wind and low humidity, wildfire numbers increase and fire behavior intensifies.   On unusually high fire class days, wildland fighters and volunteer firefighters may not be able to protect all threatened areas.

Thus, the Firewise program  as Stanley Anderson writes “is a national initiative designed to reach beyond the fire service by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers and others to protect people and property from the ravagers of wildfire.”  The Alabama Forestry Commission is leading this initiative to help communities and homeowners become “Certified Firewise Communities”.  As a homeowner consider the following recommendations to reduce the risks of wildfire:

Create a wildfire defensible space between forest vegetation and your home

Prune low branches and keep brush away from your home

Use fire-resistant building materials, roofing and screened soffit and gable vents

Safely store firewood, propane tanks, and other fuels

Keeps lawns mowed and leaves raked

Clean roof and gutters of leaves, needles and dead limbs

In response to the growing populations moving into the Wildland Urban Interface and the increasing risks associated with wildfire the Alabama Forestry Commission, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Southern Regional Planning Commission are conducting a workshop for the public at the Fairhope Public Library on August 14, 2009.  All interested parties are encouraged to attend “Wildland Urban Interface; A Growing Concern In  Alabama” and learn about WUI and the many challenges that span beyond fire concerns and include topics on:

Invasive Species

Forest Fragmentation

Water Quality

Cluster Development

Fire

For additional information, please contact Beau Brodbeck at the Alabama Cooperative Extension Office – Baldwin County Office in Bay Minette by email (brodbam@auburn.edu) or by phone (251-937-7176).

Email address: brodbam@auburn.edu

Phone: 937-7176 or 943-5611, ext. 2222

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity educator and employer.