Fire!

[hpinson]

Given the huge conflagrations in the Southwestern US this summer, what do you to protect your property from being destroyed by fire?

[Texas Tornado]

Perimeter around my house is gravel (10 foot around), no plants,trees etc planted closer than 10 foot to house or chem shed...
TT

[MountainDon]

FYI, links for wildfire
http://www.firewise.org/resources/files/wildfr2.pdf
http://nmfireinfo.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/60589_jes.pdf
http://www.firewise.org/fw_youcanuse/preparing/index.htm
There's more that a Google will find.


We cleared and thinned trees and fallen trees, branches and pine needles

[glenn kangiser]

100 foot perimeter weed eated low - leaves off roof - dead limbs away from buildings - grade several roads and terraces below living area - downhill.

[rocking23nf]

insurance, if it burned down, the payment would build a better cabin then i currently have.

[Pine Cone]

Everyone's suggestions so far are good.  Start by clearing around roads and structures.  Ask advice from your local wildland firestation about what they would like you to do in your local area.  You might even be able to get someone to come out a take a look at your place and give you advice on what they think you should do. 

As a forester, I have known lots of wildland firefighters, and one of the keys to having them be willing to protect your structure is to have safe ways in and out of your property.  This means roads wide enough for fire trucks, roads that loop by your house so they don't have to do a multi-point turn to get turned around, and if possible, more than one way to and from your house. 

Having your roof covered with something that doesn't want to burn will help as well. 

If you haven't cleared brush and debris and don't have a "defensible space" or if access is poor, then your structure may get the "don't bother protecting" flagging at your driveway.

Another set of problems come with buildings or decks with large overhangs that can trap a fire's heat as it burns towards your structures.  The big covered deck I have here in coastal Washington would be a fire hazard where I lived in the mountains near Lake Tahoe in California's Gold Country.

Good luck!  Looks like it could be another bad fire year in the SW.

[Dave Sparks]

Ask a fire fighter if it is defensible, plan the defense, and defend the plan!

[Don_P]

These are a good idea in wildfire areas;
http://www.brandguardvents.com/how_it_works.php