Fire Hazards

The wildland–urban interface (WUI) is commonly described as the zone where structures and other human development meet and intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels.

Interspersing of developed land and wildland, where there are no easily discernible boundaries between the two systems. An example would be what real estate brochures describe as "ranchettes" or "weekend farmer" homes.

A wildfire hazard zone consists of relatively homogeneous lands and is based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and other relevant factors (PRC 4201-4204). Following the disastrous 1980 fire season, Senator Ayala introduced legislation which required the director of CDF to zone all State Responsibility Area (SRA) lands in accordance with the degree of severity of fire hazard. The purpose of the zoning was to identify measures to be taken to retard the rate of spreading and to reduce the potential intensity of uncontrolled fires that threaten to destroy resources, life, or property. The final maps were adopted into regulation as Section 1280 of CCR Title 14 on March 12, 1985. The end result was that each Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ)" received one of three ratings: Moderate, High, or Very High.

To determine whether or not you are in a wildfire hazard zone, contact you local fire department or your local emergency management organization.

By creating a fire safe landscape of at least 100 feet around your house, you will reduce the chance of a wildfire spreading onto your property and burning through to your home. This is the basis for creating a "defensible space" - an area that will help protect your home and provide a safety zone for the firefighters who are battling the flames. Clearing all flammable vegetation a minimum of 100 feet around your home and other structures will not only provide you with the greatest chance for survival, it is also required by California law.

There are no programs available from the state or federal government to provide support directly to individuals. Contact CDF or your local fire department, Fire Safe Council, or emergency management agency.

Certain types of fuel breaks are called "shaded" fuel breaks because large trees are left standing to provide shade and reduce the plant growth rate within the fuel break.

No, "Mr. Cohn had an interesting connection with the origin of the Great Chicago Fire. He steadfastly maintained that the traditional story of the cause of the fire -- Mrs. O'Leary's cow that kicked over a lantern -- was untrue. He asserted that he and Mrs. O'Leary's son, in the company of several other boys, were shooting dice in the hayloft by the light of a lantern, when one of the boys accidentally overturned the lantern, thus setting the barn afire. Mr. Cohn never denied that when the other boys fled, he stopped long enough to scoop up the money." Please visit: http://www.hydeparkmedia.com/cohn.html

The Fire Safe Council has a large quantity of information for homeowners, including a check list. Follow this link: http://www.firesafecouncil.org/homeowner/index.cfm

There are no programs available from the state or federal government to provide support directly to individuals. Contact your local fire department, Fire Safe Council, or emergency management agency.

A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is a plan for an at-risk community that is developed by the applicable local government, local fire department, State agency, interested parties, and Federal land management agencies. The Plan identifies and prioritizes areas for hazardous fuel reduction and recommends methods of treatment that will protect communities and infrastructure. It also recommends measures to reduce structural ignitability throughout the community.

For general information about CWPPs see the California Fire Alliance Website. Below is a link to the Website's CWPP Guidance page. http://www.cafirealliance.org/cwpp/.

If you want to know about a CWPP in your area, contact your local fire department.