Not all fire is bad. Prescribed burning is a land treatment, used under controlled conditions, to accomplish natural resource management objectives. It is a safe way to apply a natural process, ensure ecosystem health, and reduce wildfire risk. Its use reduces the potential for destructive wildfires and thus maintains long-term air quality.
Plan ahead. Before a wildfire threatens your area…
Create a defensible space in the area within 200 feet of your home by reducing the amount of flammable vegetation and material and increasing the water content of what remains.
Prevent new fires by eliminating potential ignition sources. Do not burn leaves.
- Remove leaves from gutters, eaves, porches, and decks.
- Clear away dead plant material within 10 feet of the house.
- Remove branches that are 10 feet or less from the ground.
- Keep your lawn well-watered and in good health. If it is brown, mow it close to the ground to reduce fuel for wildfire.
- Dispose of debris and lawn cuttings quickly to reduce fuel for a fire.
- Learn more at www.firewise.org.
Prevent new fires by eliminating potential ignition sources. Do not burn leaves.
Resources
- Wildfire Risk Assessment Guide for Homeowners in the Southern United States
- Fire-Resistant Landscaping in North Carolina: Identify recommended plants, plant placement, and maintenance to make your home less vulnerable
- Preparing homes for wildfire by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- Low Flammability Plants
- Selecting and Maintaining Firewise Plants for Landscaping
- North Carolina Forest Service Contacts
- Wildland Fire in the Southeast: National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy
- Fire Adapted Communities
- Fire in the Wildland-Urban Interface: Selecting and Maintaining Firewise Plants for Landscaping
