It seems mad to discuss forest fires after the drenching rains we've seen this spring. But forest fires are always a possibility. As more of Missouri’s rural areas change from farmland to subdivisions and smaller farms, the threat of fires becomes even more serious. How can we best prevent these risks in the Ozarks?
Duane Parker, forester and certified arborist with 35 years experience in wild fire management, works with Southwest Missouri Resources Conservation and Development Office to provide information to homeowners on possible fire risks and how to deal with them effectively. “My early experience was in Western States, but most of my time has been spent in Southwest Missouri as a Forestry Regional Supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation,” he explained.
“In Missouri, we have days, usually in early spring, when grass and woods fires are very difficult to control. Each year, we see homes burned that could be better protected by simple cleanup and maintenance by home owners. The Firewise program teaches home owners how to do these things.”
He added, “Our "Living With Wildfire" brochure provides suggestions as to how homeowners can protect their homes and other property from wildfire without direct fire department intervention.”
This publication discusses the fact that retirement homes and summer cabins often are being built in wooded or grassland areas, without regard to using fire-resistant building materials, fire protection techniques and creation of defensible space around these structures. Areas surrounding these new structures and those already in existence include forests, old fields and grasslands.
Defensible Space is a factor that refers to the importance of having areas around a structure, where fuels and vegetation are treated, cleared or reduced, to slow the spread of wildfire toward a building. Likewise, this defensible space reduces the chance of a fire within a structure moving from the structure to the surrounding forest.
It discusses the Fire Environment, three primary factors that influence fire behavior:
1. Weather
2. Topography
3. Fuel
Dry, hot, windy weather affects a fire’s speed, direction and intensity, and the ability of fire fighters to control the fire. Since weather and topography cannot be altered, proper management of vegetation in the area is important.
The Three Zones of Defensible Space are Important Factors.
Zone 1, Defensible Space, 30 feet from structures, plus 10 feet for each added 10 percent of slope.
Zone 2, the Mid-Zone, is 30 to 70 feet from structure on level ground, increased by 10 feet for each 10 percent of slope.
Zone 3, the Outermost Zone, is 70 feet or more from structures.
Location is another major factor. A home built on a steep slope is prone to being caught in flames racing up the hillside.
Firescaping refers to Fire Safe Landscape Design. It involves factors such as designing a landscape with plants that offer fire protection and still enhance the property.
A link to this publication can be found on our website www.ozarksfn.com under the tab Extended Stories and "Forest Fire Risks."
