Community Wildfire Preparedness

Getting ready for wildfire in the national parks

National Park Service firefighters work year-round to prepare for wildfires and protect parks, structures, and communities. Wildfires can happen any time of year, staying prepared and planning ahead is part of being ready for wildfire.

NPS firefighters protect communities ahead of a wildfire threat. Mowing vegetation creates a fuel break for a nearby neighborhood.

NPS/M GRISMER

Here's how you can help!

Residents can harden homes to minimize property damage and protect firefighters. Taking actions to prepare your home for wildfire will help reduce risk to firefighters and the community. Hardening your home to ember intrusion and creating defensible space on private property protects property and people.

Fire Fact

During a wildfire, traveling embers cause the most home ignitions. Protection measures taken within 200 feet of the home, known as the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ), have a significant impact on minimizing damage and loss.

What You Can Do

• Firewise USA
• FEMA: Take Action
• Build an Emergency Kit
• Prepare for Wildfires

Take Action

Plan ahead

• Pack an emergency “go kit”
• Plan two ways out of your neighborhood and designate a meeting place before a wildfire.
• Each home should have at least two different entrance and exit routes.
• Plan for pets, make sure your evacuation plan and preparation includes your pets and livestock.
• Stay informed. Sign up for emergency alerts and notices in your community.
• Prepare your home before you travel.
• Inspect and clean chimneys regularly. Equip chimneys for wood burning heating units with spark arresters. 

What to do around your home 

• Clear needles, leaves, and other debris from roofs, gutters, porches, and decks.
• Keep firewood, propane tanks, and heavy brush at least 30 feet away from buildings.
• Remove portions of any tree extending within 10 feet of the flue opening of any stove or chimney.
• Landscape vegetation should be spaced so that fire cannot be carried to the structure or surrounding vegetation.
• Remove branches from trees to height of 15 feet.
• A fuel break should be maintained around all structures. Avoid using bark or wood chip mulch in the safety zone.
• Propane tanks should be far enough away from buildings for valves to be shut off in case of fire. Keep area clear of flammable vegetation. 
• Store gasoline in an approved safety can away from occupied buildings.
• Keep lawns mowed and hydrated. 
• Install metal mesh screening in attic and crawl space vents.
• Dispose of lawn debris and cuttings. 

When a wildfire threatens

• Remove all flammable outdoor items from decks and porches, this includes cushions, propane tanks, door mats, etc.
• Connect garden hose to outlet.
• Have fire tools handy such as: ladder long enough to reach the roof, shovel, rake and bucket for water.