Outdoor Fire Safety Continue
Fire resistant shrubs include bush Honeysuckles, Currant, Cotoneaster, Sumac and shrub apples.
A good idea is to plant hardwood trees such as Maple, Poplar and Cherry. These are less flammable than pine, fir and other conifers.
Be sure to use rock, mulch, flower beds and gardens as ground cover for bare spaces and as effective firebreaks.
To help maintain your home and surrounding property keep plants and trees well pruned. Keep plants green during the dry season, and use supplemental irrigation if necessary.
Trim grass on a regular basis, and if your in a rural area keep grass trimmed up to 100 feet surrounding your home!
Store flammable materials, liquids and solvents in metal containers outside the home at least 30 feet away from structures and wooden fences. *****
Keep roofs and eaves clear of debris. Clean these areas in the spring after rains and again in the fall.
Remember that no matter where you live, always install smoke alarms on every level of your home. Be sure to test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
Keep tools for fire protections nearby for easy access such as 100 foot garden hose, shovel, rake, ladder and buckets