Spring is upon us in Montana, and with it comes time for spring cleaning and improvement activities around the house. While we prune, plant, paint and prepare for summer, it is critical to take wildfire risk into consideration for all our springtime duties, and to take a moment to reflect upon the question, “what can I do?”
What can I do immediately around my home to reduce its risk of ignition? If you are considering replacing mulch around your house, remember that the first three feet of landscaping should be clear of flammable material. Wood chips, bark, and plants in these areas are ready-made to catch wildfire embers, which can lead to a home ignition during wildfire.
What can I do to my landscaping to reduce my home’s wildfire risk? If replacing winter-killed plants, the MSU Extension Service has a guide entitled ‘Fire-Resistant Plants for Montana Landscapes’ that provides options for trees and plants that are less likely to ignite during a wildfire. Additionally, remove trees to increase space to 15-20 feet between tree crowns to reduce fire intensity in the landscaping around your home. Prune trees and ladder fuels – the brush and shrubs beneath trees – to reduce the likelihood of fire moving from the ground into the branches and crowns of the trees.
What can I do to my home itself to reduce its risk of ignition? If you have windows to clean or paint to touch-up, take a moment to remove flammable materials from rain gutters. If you have vents on the side of your home, install 1/8” metal screens behind them to prevent embers from entering attic or basement spaces. Remove materials stored under decks or next to the home that can catch embers from a fire that in turn will ignite your structure. Move wood piles at least 30 feet away from the home. Replace winter-worn flammable door mats or deck furniture with those made of fire-resistant materials. If it’s time to replace your roof, do not use wood shakes or shingles.
Examples of fire-resistant plants and construction techniques can be found at the demonstration garden installed by the Tri-County FireSafe Working Group at the Montana City Volunteer Fire Department located at 1192 Highway 282, just north of the roundabout in Montana City.
What can I do to be ready for evacuation? Dust the cobwebs off your evacuation plans – where will you go, what will you bring, and how will all your family, pets and livestock get there? If you haven’t done so, sign up for emergency notifications, follow the Jefferson County Montana Sheriff’s Office on Facebook, and take note of the Jefferson County low-power FM radio station in your area. Visit linktr.ee/jcso.mt to get access to those resources. Most importantly, commit to maintaining your own situational awareness. While emergency responders will do all they can to notify the public in the event of an evacuation, share the responsibility by leaving early if you feel unsafe – don’t wait to be notified to evacuate you and your loved ones.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please reach out to Jefferson County’s Office of Emergency Management at 406-225-4035, or via email at ddodge@jeffersoncounty-mt.gov.
Doug Dodge is the county’s disaster and emergency services coordinator
