If you live in a very fire-prone area, then it’s best to get rid of shrubs altogether.
Weeds grow fast, so check your garden at least once a week for new growths. You can also use an herbicide to cut down on weed growth on your property. It’s best to spray in the fall or late winter to prevent new weeds from growing during the spring.
Pick up all of the remnants from the plants you cut down. Leaving debris is also a fire hazard. You can use an herbicide for this job as well. But make sure to dig up or cut down any dead plants after you apply the herbicide.
Rake up and get rid of any leftover mulch from the previous season before you place new mulch. This will be dried out and could help fires spread.
Different plants might need different amounts of water. Monitor your plants to see if they look dry or wilted. Add more water if you see these signs. Some towns or states have laws on how much water you’re allowed to use for conservation purposes. Stay within local guidelines so you don’t waste water or receive a fine.
Remove garbage regularly as well. Don’t let trash or compost build up on your property. If you have enough land, try digging a trench around your trash area to prevent fires from entering or spreading out from there.
If you have a large property and your hoses don’t reach far enough, try installing a high-pressure pump so you can spray water over longer distances. Also use pressure nozzles on your hoses so you can spray any fires from further away.
If your property isn’t large enough to locate the shed 20 m (66 ft) away from the home, then position it as far away as you can. Always check with local regulations before you build a new shed. There may be requirements for where you can locate one on your property.
Maintain the firebreak by removing any new growths in the soil right away. The recommended firebreak size varies depending on the surrounding vegetation. As a general rule, the break should be as wide as the height of the surrounding vegetation, so make the break wider if you have tall trees around your property.
Make sure you clear away all the vegetation around the site before you start a fire as an extra precaution. If you’re camping, don’t leave the fire lit at night. Douse it before you go to bed for the night.
This is especially true for planned fires to clear vegetation off of your land. Never start a planned burn unless the environmental conditions are right. [12] X Research source
Also try to smoke in areas that don’t have a lot of dry vegetation. The embers from your cigarette could also start a fire.
Always have a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby if you’re shooting off fireworks. If any fires do start, you can put them out before they get out of control. Obey local fireworks laws. If it’s illegal to shoot off fireworks in an area, then go somewhere else where it’s legal.
Remember that cars can get very hot in the sun as well. Even if your car wasn’t running for very long, it could still get hot enough to start a fire on a sunny day. Follow this rule at your own home and at any natural areas you visit.
Don’t try to soak up the chemicals with a towel. It will sink into the soil before you can clean it up. If you’ve spilled a lot of chemicals, like a whole container, then inform a park ranger. This might require professionals to clean up.
You can order spark arrestors online or get them from hardware stores. If you aren’t sure how to install it, store representatives might be able to help or do it for you. You don’t have to leave the spark arrestor on at all times. Just attach it when you’ll be around dry vegetation. Some areas have laws requiring vehicles and tools to have spark arrestors installed to prevent fires. You could receive a fine if you don’t follow the law. [19] X Research source
Some good fire-prevention measures might be preventing building in fire-prone areas, carrying out controlled burns to clear excess vegetation, cleaning up chemical and garbage waste, and enacting harsher penalties on people who start fires can all prevent fires from breaking out. Tackling climate change to prevent global temperatures from rising is also an important step. There are also some good measures that will improve the emergency response when fires do break out. Early-alert alarms, improved firefighting equipment, and marked evacuation routes can all save lives if a fire starts.
