A PLACE FOR ALL

From Alta Martin

DNRC Clearwater Firefighter & Fire Prevention Assistant,DNRC-Southwestern Land Office, Missoula County Fire Protection Association

When summer changes to fall and the smoky air starts to clear, we try to leave the anxiety of fire season behind and embrace cooler weather and shorter days. While we begin to leave fire season behind us, it is important to know who spends their summers on the ground protecting our resources, properties, and lives. The Seeley Lake Rural Fire District (RFD) is one of the first lines of defense in an area that sees its fair share of fires.

With a staff of three plus 17 volunteers and five auxiliary volunteers, the Seeley Lake RFD provides fire protection to the citizens of Seeley Lake. In addition to the Seeley Lake RFD, the Swan Valley Volunteer Fire Department, the Lolo National Forest Seeley Ranger District, and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Clearwater Unit all provide fire support to the Seeley Lake region, but fire protection and prevention truly starts at home.

Seeley Lake is no stranger to fire danger. The Elbow Lake, Lost Prairie, and Mountain Fires are but three of the numerous wildfires to hit the Seeley Lake area this year, and although lightning caused these fires, there is still a lesson to be learned: Wildfire is a constant danger and Mother Nature is unpredictable. While these fires did not threaten any primary residences, they are still a good reminder of our seasonal reality. Keeping in mind the tireless efforts of regional fire resources with limited resources, how can the public help? Be prepared!

Preparing for wildfire not only reduces risk to homes and property but also the lives of firefighters and civilians. So, how can you be prepared? It starts at home with having a plan for evacuation in place: Create a “Go-Bag” containing essential items for your family and pets, map out multiple safe escape routes from your property and be aware of fires in the local area. Both http://www.mcfpa.org and http://www.mtfireinfo.org are great resources for wildfire preparedness and active wildfire information.

Protecting your home and property is another excellent way to stay prepared for wildfires and can be done through evaluation of your home ignition zone (HIZ) followed by action to harden your home and make it more resistant to burning. The home ignition zone covers your home and the first 100 feet extending from your house. It is composed of three sub-zones: Immediate (0 to 5 feet), Intermediate (5-30 feet), and Extended (30 to 100 feet). The Immediate zone includes the structure itself and is the most important zone to focus on for increasing the survivability of your home.

To harden your home, box in eaves, remove combustible material from around the home (bark mulch, non-fire-resistant plants, tree litter, etc.), clean roofs and gutters, and consider alternatives to wood decks and flammable outdoor furniture.

This sounds like a lot but addressing these things can drastically reduce your home’s risk from wildfires. An easy way to get started is to obtain a wildfire home risk assessment, which can be done via a self-assessment on http://www.MTFireInfo.org in the home preparedness section, or by scheduling a free risk assessment via the DNRC webpage (www.dnrc.mt.gov/free-visit). These home assessments are a great way to learn about your home and property’s vulnerability and risk from fire. You can also use this tool to receive recommendations for lowering that risk; having one less structure at risk means one less risk a firefighter has to take.

Wildfires will always create risk, especially in a landscape where homes meet wilderness, but that does not mean we cannot reduce that risk. With Fall at our doors, now is the time to start preparing for next season. Preparing for wildfires and taking steps to prevent unnecessary damage to property are the best ways the public can do their part to help the volunteers at the Seeley Lake Rural Fire District as well as all of firefighters who work hard to protect you and your property. Be prepared, be aware, and do your part.