How to Prepare for Wildfires
The Home Ignition Zone (HIZ)
The HIZ includes your home & its surroundings, up to 100 ft (or up to 200 ft if your home is on a slope).
An ignition-resistant HIZ improves the likelihood of your home surviving a wildfire event.
This video demonstrates how homes catch fire, and how your home can survive a severe wildfire event.
HOT OFF THE PRESS: New Fire-Wise Landscaping in the Bitterroot brochure is available! Check it out for guidance on strategic HIZ landscaping tips and plant choices for the Bitterroot Valley.
ONLINE Shared Final version_FIR Landscape Brochure_DNRC.pdfWhy Become Fire Adapted?
To Go From This...
Above is a scene from the November 2018 Camp Fire, Paradise, CA
Ember showers major contributor to initial ignition
Most surrounding trees are unconsumed or their crown is unconsumed
Home-to-home ignition was major contributor
...To This
High intensity fire where most tree canopies are consumed
Homeowner did work to ensure their home could survive in the event that a fire department couldn't reach their home.
Home survived because of adequate survivable space used as a fuel break.
Actions you can take to reduce risk in your
Home Ignition Zone (HIZ)
Find ways to make your home ember-resistant
If you are replacing any materials around your home, do so using ember-resistant materials
Reducing flammable materials right next to your house
Reducing surface fuels and ladder fuels in the surrounding areas
Use fire-resistant plants in landscaping
Find a list of fire-resistant plants here
Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
Lilac (Syringa spp.)