Protecting Your Home From Wildfires
Red Mountain Fire
About one this afternoon fire broke in grass and sagebrush west of Benton City -- coming dangerously close to homes. Fires like this, and the others burning in Eastern Washington today, have some homeowners looking for ways to make their houses more fireproof.
Jim Crockett points out the property line outside his home in Richland.
He sits above hundreds of acres of vegetation, including Johnson's Park- or as he calls it- empty land just waiting to catch fire.
"Johnson's park is about 1500 acres comes right up behind the house, theres no way to get in and theres no way to fight that fire- so yes we do have a problem here," says Crockett.
Firefighters they recommend homeowners have at least 30 feet cleared around their house, also keep lawns short and never storing combustibles under porches
It could mean the difference between a home spared by fire, and one burned to the ground.
: "When your fire department responds we triage the homes, we look to see which ones need defending which ones we can defend and some homes if no preparation has been made- certain things like steep slope- they are indefensible cuz of firefighter safety," says James Jordon of the Richland Fire Department.
The Richland Fire Department is urging homeowners to be aware of any brush and vegetation around your home.
Sprinklers and flower pots outline Jim Crocketts home, and he hopes thats enough to keep the next fire line clear of his property line.
"Theres no combustibles back there so were about as good as we can get I guess- ya know just hope if it does happen- the fire department can get in and do something."