Our Skyline Neighborhood is a Recognized Firewise Community
By National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
The Firewise Communities/USA program is designed to provide an effective management approach for preserving wildland living aesthetics. The program can be tailored for adoption by any community and/or neighborhood association that is committed to ensuring its citizens maximum protection from wildland fire.
May 6th is National Wildfire Preparedness Day. Research around home destruction vs. home survival in wildfires point to embers and small flames as the main way that the majority of homes ignite in wildfires. Embers are burning pieces of airborne wood and/or vegetation that can be carried more than a mile through the wind can cause spot fires and ignite homes, debris and other objects.
There are methods for homeowners to prepare their homes to withstand ember attacks and minimize the likelihood of flames or surface fire touching the home or any attachments. Experiments, models and post-fire studies have shown homes ignite due to the condition of the home and everything around it, up to 200’ from the foundation. This is called the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ).
Activities you can do around your home to make it more resistant to wildfires include:
We currently have established Firewise Communities throughout the Skyline Ridge Neighborhood boundaries. To get a free assessment of your home: Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Home Assessment (https://www.portland.gov/fire/your-safety/wildland-urban-interface-wui-home-assessment).
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The Firewise Communities/USA program is designed to provide an effective management approach for preserving wildland living aesthetics. The program can be tailored for adoption by any community and/or neighborhood association that is committed to ensuring its citizens maximum protection from wildland fire.
May 6th is National Wildfire Preparedness Day. Research around home destruction vs. home survival in wildfires point to embers and small flames as the main way that the majority of homes ignite in wildfires. Embers are burning pieces of airborne wood and/or vegetation that can be carried more than a mile through the wind can cause spot fires and ignite homes, debris and other objects.
There are methods for homeowners to prepare their homes to withstand ember attacks and minimize the likelihood of flames or surface fire touching the home or any attachments. Experiments, models and post-fire studies have shown homes ignite due to the condition of the home and everything around it, up to 200’ from the foundation. This is called the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ).
Activities you can do around your home to make it more resistant to wildfires include:
- Cleaning needles and leaves from your roof and gutters and paying attention to maintaining the home ignition zone (https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Preparing-homes-for-wildfire).
- Getting out your measuring tape and seeing how close wood piles are located to the home. If they are closer than 30 feet, relocate them to at least 30 feet away from structures.
- Sweeping porches and decks, clearing them of leaves and needles. Raking under decks, porches, sheds, and play structures.
- Mowing grasses to a height of 4 inches or less.
- Removing items stored under decks and porches and relocating them to a storage shed, garage, or basement. Gasoline cans and portable propane tanks should never be stored indoors and should be located away from the home.
We currently have established Firewise Communities throughout the Skyline Ridge Neighborhood boundaries. To get a free assessment of your home: Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Home Assessment (https://www.portland.gov/fire/your-safety/wildland-urban-interface-wui-home-assessment).
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