Living on the Land Workshop Living on the Land Workshop Bozeman, Montana July 22, 2008 Bozeman, Montana July 22, 2008 Ed Smith Natural Resource Specialist Overview Module 4: Module 4: Living With Fire

Rationale: Much of the western United States is considered a high-wildfire hazard environment. Within this region, many properties are not prepared to survive a wildfire. By being properly informed and taking action, homeowners can reduce the impacts of wildfire.

Wildfires in the United States ; >250 acres Source: USGS (This PowerPoint slide is not included in the module)

(This PowerPoint slide not included in module) Module 4 has two lessons: Lesson 1: Describes how wildfire threatens homes and outbuildings and presents actions that can reduce the wildfire risk. Lesson 2: Discusses why homeowners don’t implement wildfire threat reduction practices, what to do during a wildfire, and what actions to take after the wildfire.

.. Understanding and Reducing the Wildfire Threat Developed by: Ed Smith University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Ben Hammack

Topics to be covered  How wildfire threatens a home and outbuildings  Why structures burn  Who should worry  Managing wildfire fuel  Actions to take before the fire occurs

(Pages 2-3)

Show footage of local fire behavior

Wildfire threatens a home or outbuilding in three ways:  Contact by flames  Radiated heat  Flying embers

. Contact by flames

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Cerro Grande Fire 2000 Jack Cohen, US Forest Service

“My examination suggests that the abundance and ubiquity of pine needles, dead leaves, cured vegetation, flammable shrubs, wood piles, etc. adjacent to, touching and or covering the homes principally contributed to the residential losses.” Dr. Jack Cohen “Investigation of the Cerro Grande Fire”

Who should worry? Nevada Appeal

(Pages 7-11)

Three categories of recommendations  Built zone  Defensible space zone  Access zone

Access Zone Defensible Space Zone Built Zone

Lean, Clean, and Green Area Noncombustible Area Wildland Fuel Reduction Area

Defensible Space Zone. Mark the boundary Step 1: How big?

Defensible Space Zone. Step 2: Dead vegetation

Defensible Space Zone. Step 2: Dead vegetation

Defensible Space Zone. Step 3: Separation

Defensible Space Zone. Step 3: Separation

Defensible Space Zone. Step 4: Ladder fuels

Defensible Space Zone. Step 4: Ladder fuels

Defensible Space Zone. Step 5: Lean, Clean, and Green

Defensible Space Zone. Step 5: Lean, Clean, and Green.

Resources… (Pages 4-5 )

.. When Wildfire Occurs Developed by: Ed Smith University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Reno Gazette Journal

What we’ll be covering:  Why people don’t take action  What to do during a wildfire  What to do after a wildfire has occurred

(Pages 2-3)

During the wildfire F. M. Global

During the wildfire   What you should wear  What you should take  How you should leave your property

It will likely be smoky, windy, hot, and very dry Nevada Appeal

What to wear pic… What you should wear and carry Ed Smith, UNCE

What you should take ?

Evacuate family members and pets Nevada Appeal

Resources… (Pages 4-5 )

Why don’t people in your area take action? Ed Smith, UNCE

Reason #1 “I didn’t know there was a wildfire threat in my neighborhood.”

Unaware Carson City Fire Department

Reason #2 “It won’t happen to me.”

Denial Nevada Appeal

Reason #3 “It’s all fate, when your number is up, it’s up.”

Destiny Brian Randall

Reason #4 “It won’t make a difference”

Futility Ben Hammack

Reason #5 “It’s not my job.”

Irresponsibility Ben Hammack

“So what, my insurance will build me a new house.” Reason #6

Insurance

Reason #7 “If it was important, my insurance company would give me a break on my premium.”

No incentives

Reason #8 “It’s wrong to cut trees.”

Unnatural or wrong Tahoe-Douglas Fire Protection District

Reason #9 “It won’t look good.”

Aesthetics and function Ed Smith, UNCE

Reason #10 “I don’t want to because of poison oak, lyme disease, hantavirus, etc.”

Discomfort JoAnne Skelly, UNCE

Reason #11 “I don’t have the time or money to do it.”

Cost Ed Smith, UNCE

Reason #12 “I don’t know what to do.”

Unknowledgeable Ed Smith, UNCE

Reason #13 “I don’t have an easy way to get rid of all that stuff.”

Disposal Ed Smith, UNCE

Reason #14 “It’s against the law.”

Illegal UNCE, Reno, Nev.

Reason #15 “I don’t own it.”

Lack of ownership Gary Greene

Are there other reasons why people don’t reduce the wildfire threat to their property?

Why don’t people in your neighborhood take action? Ed Smith, UNCE

Good Luck! Good Luck! Contact me for help…