Wildfire Spring Cleaning

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 consider wildfire risk 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 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 fire-resistant materials. Do not use wood shakes or shingles if it’s time to replace your roof.

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, offers examples of fire-resistant plants