Thanks to our wonderful Board President (Tess Pace) we are well on our way to becoming a certified Firewise Community - this will mean reduced insurance rates but most of all a more survivable community for all of us. There will be a lot more information coming soon but for now please review the expectations for the different zones around your home. If you need help getting compliant please send us an e-mail at osvfc@outlook.com
If you would like a FREE Home Hardening inspection from Tess please call the fire hall at 530-335-7111 and leave a message with your contact info. Tess will get in touch and set up the meeting. Some basic guidelines are listed below - this is for a Wildfire Prepared Home BASE designation. Taking these actions will DRAMATICALLY impact the survivability of your home and your neighbor's homes.
Create a 5-Foot Home Buffer
Remove ALL vegetation within 5 feet of your home
Remove all branches within 5 feet of your home or within 10 feet of any chimney
Remove leaves, needles or other vegetation on or under decks
No woodpiles
Install hardscape such as concrete or non combustible rock mulch around your home
Replace any wood fencing with a metal section for the first five feet
If building a new deck use Trex (or similar material) and not wood
Prepare Your Home's Exterior
Check and maintain your roof and gutters
Ensure you have a Class A fire rated roof cover such as tile, slate or metal
Replace plastic gutters with metal gutters
Ensure a 6" vertical clearance of non-combustible siding material (e.g., flashing)
Install ember resistant vents with 1/8" metal wire mesh
Maintain Decks and Yard
Clear and maintain decks and covered porches
Clear all tree debris regularly
Remove large rugs and combustible furniture.
Move hot tubs at least 10' from house
Remove anything stored under a deck
Remove all vegetation from under the deck and stairs
Put 6" of metal flashing around all deck posts
Include a 5-foot non-combustible buffer around decks and stairs
If your deck is 4 feet or lower install 1/8" metal wire mesh around the outer edge
Cut grass to no more than 4" and keep watered
Remove tree limbs within 6' of the ground
Trim upper branches to maintain 10' of separation for trees within 30' of house
Other
Propane tanks and outbuildings shall have 10’ of clearance to bare soil and no flammable vegetation for an additional 10’
Address numbers shall be displayed in contrasting colors (4” minimum height) and readable from street
Chimney openings shall have a metal screen with openings between 3/8” and 1/2”
If remodeling please use fire resistant siding and roofing materials