Homeowners
can “INVEST” in defensible space

Story and Photos by Sue Ryan
Odell and Pine Grove fire chief Greg Borton,
demonstrates how high trees and shrubs must be trimmed to eliminate ladder fuels.
 

By SUE RYAN
News staff writer
August 19, 2006

Defensible space is a phrase that sounds either like the title from a 1950s B movie or an educational short film from high school.

But the concept is one that anyone, whether they rent or own their home, should be aware of in Hood River and Wasco counties. That is because of the potential for wildfire in the region. If a site has not been prepared ahead of time, wildfire can wreak damage on houses and belongings.

The smoke pall that hangs over the Hood River Valley from burning forest fires this week brings a timely reminder of the importance of investing time and labor in fire-proofing a home.

“It’s only going to benefit a home,” said Greg Borton, fire chief for the Odell and Pine Grove fire districts.

He climbed down Tuesday afternoon from his fire rig to look out over the backyard of a house in the Pine Grove area. Borton scooped up a handful of pine needles and crunched them to demonstrate how dry fuels are in the east hills of Hood River.

He said part of creating defensible space is simply understanding that taking out the “ladder level” of fuel between the ground and 10 to 15 feet up in a tree slows a fire from spreading.

“If it were to burn through here, it would just travel along the ground,” he said. “If it gets up in the trees, it moves faster.”

Pine needles, like those piled on a roof, create potential fuel for fire. Above, flammable vegetation has been removed through zone three.

Defensible space is defined as the space someone can create to slow down and/or stop a wildfire from reaching their home. People can work on two levels to protect their house including reducing fuels both vertically and horizontally. While scenarios vary, the basic criteria includes three zones.

The first zone is removing all flammable vegetation within 15 feet of the home. This includes any attached structures such as decks. The second zone is a transitional zone and depends on the slope of the property. This area should extend at least 75 to 125 feet from the structure and people should take out dead or dying trees and shrubs within this area. They should also limb up, thin and prune remaining trees and shrubs. Zone three includes the area from the edge of zone two to the property line.

One problem that people in the Pine Grove area and some drier climates of the Mid-Columbia region face is not having a green lawn within zone one or two due to either slope or water availability.

Trees next to a Pine Grove home, above, have been limbed up to 10 to 15 feet above the ground. Inset: Odell and Pine Grove Fire Chief Greg Borton.

“It’s important to cut that dry, tall grass back, or you can rock the space in as alternatives,” Borton said.

The type of plants used close to homes is also important, according to Borton. He said while a bush or shrub may appear green, depending on its oil content it can actually add to the fire danger the closer it is to a home.

“People plant arborvitae shrubs in flowerbeds or right next to the house and don’t realize that it acts just like a match, the shrub is that flammable,” he said.

Borton advised not overlooking other factors such as cleaning pine needles from roofs and eaves as well as moving firewood at least 20 feet away from the home. He said an essential part to defensible space also includes making sure the driveway is clear of overhanging limbs and shrubs for access.

“A minimum of 15 feet wide or we can’t get our trucks in to the fire,” he said.

Because of the burn ban currently in effect for Hood River County, residents should use hand tools to clear brush or grass at this time.