It Just Needs a Spark

--Virginia Morgan

Did you know that there is a formula for fire? It is fuel + air + spark = FIRE. My mother lives in an environment that has two of the components in great abundance. She is surrounded by trees.  She loves the wild look and doesn’t want any of the trees cut, including those that are less than 30 feet from the house.  Tall azaleas, forsythia, and other shrubs are intermingled with the trees. She lives in the middle of a fire hazard. I think about that a lot, especially as I hear or read about wildfires in southern California and other places.

What can we do to make my mom’s place more fire resistant? There are several things that can be done. First, plants that contain resins, oils and waxes should be removed from within 30 feet of the house. Next, we should prune the shrubs. We should also remove any dead or low-hanging branches from the trees. Finally, we should rake the leaves and pine needles and dispose of them.

Check out the landscape around your home. Is it fire resistant?

Visit the Firewise Communities Web site for interactive lessons on being firewise. Other excellent resources include Firewise Landscaping Tips, Landscaping with Fire in Mind, and Living With Fire. A comprehensive report on wildfires in the south, written by the Southern Group of State Foresters, examines problems and solutions to wildland fires in southern forests. If you are interested in initiating a Firewise Community or want to know more about preventing wildfires in your county, contact Neil Letson (letsone@auburn.edu) or Michelle Cole (coleden@auburn.edu). 

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