The Ember Fact Every SLC Homeowner Should Know
Salt Lake City has seen its share of fires lately, and while nobody wants to think about a fire near their home, there’s one thing about wildfire that’s worth knowing—especially if you live near the foothills or other open areas.
It’s not always the flames that make the first contact with a house.
It can be the embers.
Wind-driven embers can travel ahead of the main fire and land on roofs, in gutters, under decks, or in other little places where dry leaves and debris have collected. Salt Lake City Fire notes that homes within about a mile of a natural area can fall within an “Ember Zone.”
And that brings us to this week’s Home Hack:
Take a walk around your house and look for the little piles of stuff you normally ignore.
Check your:
Roof and roof valleys for leaves and pine needles
Gutters for dry debris
Deck and porch areas for accumulated leaves
Around vents and openings for debris
Space immediately around the house for dry vegetation and combustible materials
You don't have to turn your yard into a fireproof fortress. Start with the simple stuff.
A few minutes with a broom, rake, or garden hose can help eliminate some of the places where dry material likes to collect.
And if you live closer to the foothills or open space, it’s worth taking an extra look at your home's landscaping and defensible space. Salt Lake City Fire recommends keeping weeds, brush, and other vegetation managed around the home to help reduce the potential for fire and flying embers to reach the structure.
The takeaway: You don't need to be worried every time you see smoke in the sky. But knowing how fire can reach a home—and taking a few simple steps to remove the easy-to-overlook fuel around your house—is a pretty good homeowner habit.
That's your Hump Day Home Hack.
Free downloadable PDF guide below:
Comments