As the wild-land urban interface is ever expanding, fire resiliency has never been so crucial. Fire is a natural occurrence across the landscape and has many beneficial qualities. Several species such as Ponderosa and Lodgepole pines have serotinous cones which are released when fire passes through a stand. Fire can return essential nutrients to the soil and help maintain forest stand densities to allow for sufficient sunlight to reach the forest floor; this in-turn allows native forbs and grasses to replenish, sustaining countless wildlife species. Fire prevention efforts across wilderness areas can increase fire intensity and severity by not allowing fire to take its natural coarse to reduce lateral fuels within stands. Although fire is natural in wilderness settings, fire suppression within residential locations is vital to minimize loss of life and property. Whether its the back 40 or a 1 acre lot, these steps can help prepare your land and decrease the likelihood of severe fire damage:
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Although these steps can help better prepare you for fire season, always have a plan in place to evacuate if fire still persists in proximity to your residence. Buildings can be replaced; human lives are irreplaceable!