Home — Safety— Brush Fires

Eight of every 10 brush fires are started by people, intentional or not. Some are caused by other elements, such as lightning from severe storms. Golden Gate Estates is a heavily wooded neighborhood of trees and vegetation, some living, some dead -- all potential fuel for a wildfire.

If you live in the Estates or another area dense with vegetation, the tips below can make your home safer if a wildfire strikes:

• Maintain a 30-foot buffer between your home and dense vegetation. Ensure fencing is in good condition.
• Remove dead or overhanging branches around your home. When brush fires occur, wind can blow flaming debris to nearby branches and on to the roof of your home.
• Keep tree limbs pruned six to 10 feet off the ground.
• Regularly prune shrubs and brushes.
• Keep your yard mowed and clear of tall, dry grass.
• Keep your yard and gutters clear of leaves and pine straw.
• Promptly dispose of cuttings and debris.
• Install spark arrestors on chimneys.
• Keep firewood away from your home and other structures.
• Build your driveway 14 feet wide to accommodate firefighting vehicles.

This information is also available at the Firewise website.