This pine tree branch could easily bring the fire to the home's roof.
It seems an annual event to hear that California wildfires are threatening or burning homes. But Minnesota also experiences wildfires and grassfires both rural and suburban, so it is important to design your landscape to be fire safe. While the threat of wildfires is relatively small to our homes in our urban/suburban area, many Minnesotans maintain a second home or cabin up north where there is greater risk of loss.
A fire prone property has four qualities: limited access, site location with pines and other evergreens within 30 feet of home and fire ladder fuels, fire prone building materials, and property owner fire practices.
A cabin with a narrow driveway and limited turnaround limits access for emergency vehicles. Firefighters won't enter the property to defend it from fire if it is unsafe for them to do. The width of the driveway should be a minimum of 12 feet wide and the vertical clearance should be 14 feet. Prune tree branches and remove driveway arbors that fall below this clearance. Turnarounds and turnouts may also need to be included, particularly if the driveway is long.
Conifers within 30 feet of the structure are a threat. Radiant heat can ignite buildings within 30 feet. To be more fire safe, ideally evergreens should be removed within 30 feet from cabin. If evergreens trees are kept, space with at least 10 feet between their crowns and they are pruned up 8 feet. Remove all 'ladder fuels' from beneath the trees. Ladder fuels are described as tall grass, small shrubs, trees, tree limbs, and other materials that allow fire to climb into the tree crown.
Cabins constructed from wood, logs or other flammable materials are more susceptible to radiant heat and embers. Wooden decks and cedar shingles also pose a greater threat. Do not use areas under decks for storage unless completely enclosed with metal screening. Fire risks can also be reduced with proper structure placement and architecture.
The practices of the property owner also plays into how fire safe the property is. Is open burning practiced? How are recreational fires contained and extinguished? And is firewood stored away from the home?
Even simple adjustments could reduce your risk. Check out the
Minnesota DNR website for more information and details on being more firewise.
Want a perennial that is in its glory right now? Try 'Autumn Joy' Sedum. Sedum plants have thick, fleshy leaves and the flower heads resemble a head of broccoli. The tiny flower blossoms of 'Autumn Joy' start greenish white and as August progresses the blossoms turn to a light pink. The color deepens in September to a rich salmon pink then to a burgundy and changes to mahogany and dark brown. Leave the flower heads on for winter interest.
