3) DEFEND

First, make sure your house and property are easy to find by indicating your street number with a reflective sign that is visible to responders even in dark and smoky conditions.

Other factors that determine how fast and effectively help can reach you include: whether there are known sources of water nearby; the availability of turnarounds; and the condition of all roads leading to your property, which need to accommodate both evacuating residents and incoming responders. Fire engines may be 28’ long, 10’ wide, and 15’ tall. They need room to park, and firefighters need space to work. Engines will also not go anywhere that appears unsafe, including insufficient space for turning around.

A helpful tool to learn how easy your property would be to defend in case of wildfire is our Wildfire Risk Assessment—download the PDF to get started.