When designing and installing landscape, consider the following: Local area fire history; site location and overall terrain; prevailing winds and seasonal weather; property contours and boundaries; native vegetation; plant characteristics and placement and irrigation requirements. Be sure to leave a minimum of 30' around the house to accommodate fire equipment, if necessary. Carefully space the trees you plant. Take out the "ladder fuels" such as vegetation that serves as a link between grass and tree tops. It can carry fire to a structure or from a structure to vegetation. Give yourself added protection with "fuel breaks" like driveways, gravel walkways and lawns.

When maintaining landscape, keep trees & shrubs pruned. Prune all trees up to 6'-10' from the ground. Remove leaf clutter and dead and overhanging branches. Mow your lawn regularly. Dispose of cuttings and debris promptly, according to local regulations. Store firewood away from the house. Be sure the irrigation system is well maintained. Use care when refueling garden equipment and maintain it regularly. Store and use flammable liquids properly. Dispose of smoking materials carefully. Become familiar with local regulations regarding vegetative clearances, disposal of debris and fire safety requirements for equipment. Follow manufacturers' instructions when using fertilizers and pesticides.

When considering the structure, remember the primary goals are fuel and exposure reduction. Use construction materials that are fire-resistant or non-combustible whenever possible. For roof construction, consider using materials such as Class-A asphalt shingles, slate or clay tile, metal, cement and concrete products, or terra-cotta tiles. Constructing a fire resistant sub-roof can add protection as well. On exterior wall cladding, fire resistive materials such as stucco or masonry are much better than vinyl which can soften and melt. Consider both size and materials for windows; smaller panes hold up better in their frames than larger ones; double pane glass and tempered glass are more effective than single pane glass; plastic skylights can melt. Cover windows and skylights with non-flammable screening shutters. To prevent sparks from entering your home through vents, cover exterior attic and underfloor vents with wire mesh no large than 1/8"; make sure undereave and soffit vents are closer to the roof line than the wall. Box all eaves but provide adequate ventilation to prevent condensation. Include a driveway that is wide enough- 12' wide with a vertical clearance of 15' and a slope that is less than 12% to provide easy access for fire engines. The driveway and access roads should be well-maintained, clearly marked, and include ample turnaround space near the house. Also consider access to water supply. Inspect your property and clear dead wood and dense vegetation from at least 20' from your house.

You can learn more about the above article by visiting www.firewise.org or www.wa.gov/dnr