Drought and Brush Fire Safety From the "All Hazards Guide", a joint publication of Collier, Lee, Charlotte, and Sarasota County Emergency Management Departments, and RolSafe Shutters)

Wildland Fire Backgrounder Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy Report Published Wildfire: Are you Prepared?

Source: Florida Division of Forestry

Note that the drought index can vary widely hroughout the county.  As seen in the map at left, the Collier County KBDI ranges from the 200-300 range between southwest of Immokalee, to over 600 in other areas, including the fire prone areas of Golden Gate and the estates.  Fire danger remains high to very high over much of the county.

Firewise: Protecting your home from wildfire Making your Home Firewise Governor's Wildfire Response & Mitigation Review Committee        Final Report South Florida Water Management District:         Home page All Hazards Guide in Web Format! Fire Weather Forecast || Alternate Site Florida's Forest Protection Bureau Fire Weather Forecast Information Daily DOF Narratives NOAA Drought Information Center Florida DEM Fire Images Two day National Fire Weather Outlook (Severe Storms Lab) YOU can do something about arson! Colorado State University       Forest Home Fire Safety Download, all Adobe Acrobat  files:   Wildfire: Are You Prepared?   Wildland Fires (Fact sheet and Backgrounder)   FireWise Landscaping Checklist   FREE!  FREE! Version 4.0 now available!

Average/Peak Statewide Keetch-Byram Drought Index By County Click image to enlarge

Prevention

• Place combustible items such as outdoor furniture inside.  Avoid keeping combustibles, like firewood, under or near structures.
• Seal up attic and ground vents, windows, and other openings with precut plywood to keep out sparks.
• Faucets should be located on each side of your home and near any outbuilding, or hoses of sufficient size and length to reach outbuildings should be used. Install them, too, in areas of the yard where fire hazards exist, or where wildfire could enter your yard.  Use a spray type nozzle.
• Have a coiled hose attached to faucets on opposite sides of your home.
• Hand tools such as rakes, shovels, and axes should be readily available, along with a ladder that will reach your roof.
• Place sprinklers on the roof and near all above ground fuel tanks.  To conserve water, do not turn the water on until the fire is near.
• Turn off all fuel supplies by closing the valves at the tank or meter, and put out all pilot lights.
• Make sure all portable pumps are operational and in place.
• Keep all valuable papers and memorabilia in a safe place.

• Listen to local media for evacuation information.
• Have an escape route and a meeting place.   Teach your children the plan.
• Fire proof your home to the best of your ability, and make plans for a fast "get away."
• Don't forget to plan for your pets!  Pet supply stores such as Pet Supermarket and PetSmart offer free window/door decals which will alert firefighters to the presence of animals inside the home.

• Close all windows and doors.  This will prevent sparks from blowing inside.
• Close metal venetian blinds or lower metal shutters over windows.
• Keep drapes, sheers, furniture and other combustible material away from windows. Intense heat can radiate through glass and ignite fabrics, papers, and other combustibles inside, even if the window glass remains intact.

Repairs and additions

• Are you using flame resistant building materials for the roof, siding and soffit?
• Install spark arrestors on all chimneys

• Does your driveway allow emergency vehicle access?  Most fire trucks require a minimum space 14 feet wide high, and they cannot maneuver through sharp curves.  If firefighters can't access your property, they cannot protect it!
• Electric gates:  Install a second receiver coded for emergency vehicle access.  Contact your fire department for more information.
• Electric garage door:  Disengage the motor drive, and unlock the door so firefighters can get inside in the event of an attic fire.
• Install a relective sign with your house number in 4 inch high numbers on your mailbox, gate, fencepost, or some other easily seen location.  It should be visible on the street from both directions.  Your local fire department may be able to provide you with a suitable sign for a small charge.

• Have you received your burn permit from the Division of Forestry?
• Does your burn permit meet all the required setbacks?
• Are conditions too dry or windy to burn safely?
• A safety zone should be cleared that is wide enough to prevent the escape of the fire.
• Burn after 4 P.M. and only when the wind has calmed.
• Obey forest fire laws and air pollution regulations.
• Do not leave the fire unattended.

• Are you storing and disposing of material in a fire safe manner?
• Keep material away from wooded areas and structures.
• Are you clearing leaves, pine needles, and other dead vegetation off your roof and away from your house?

• Report acts of arson to the fire department, police, sheriff, (call 911) or the Division of Forestry.
• Report details such as: description of suspect, car, license number, direction of travel, etc.

• Use deep ashtrays or extinguish smoking materials on bare ground and be sure they are "dead out."
• Hold matches until cold.
• Do not throw matches and lit cigarettes from vehicles!

• Report all fires to the fire department.
• Dispose of charcoal and ashes in a metal container. Keep ashes in the metal container for at least 48 hours before dumping them on

the ground.
• Store gasoline and flammable materials safely.

• Teach children safe fire behaviors.
• Supervise all activities involving the use of fire.

• Refuel lawn mowers, power saws, etc. only after the engine and mufflers have cooled. Use approved gasoline containers.
• Keep approved mufflers and spark arrestors installed and maintained.
• Construct and maintain electric fences so they do not come in contact with dry weeds, brush or ground.
• Park vehicles so that the exhaust system does not come in contact with dry grass, weeds or leaves.
• Notify the electric power company when dead trees or overhanging limbs endanger the electric wires. The wires may touch each other

or the ground causing sparks that start fires.

Wildland Fire Assessment System
Meteorology For Fire Severity Forecasting
Boise NWS - Fire Weather

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