By Gordon Williams 

Quick quiz: Do you know what an “ember zone” is — and do you live in one? 

An ember zone defines how far flaming embers from a wildfire can fly, setting new patches of woodland ablaze.  

Firefighting experts say you live in an ember zone if your property is within a mile of territory woody enough to sustain wildfire. And if your home is in an area that fits this description? The burden is on you to ensure there is nothing to burn if flaming embers come your way. 

The question about ember zones is more than passing interest if you live in Washington state, because much of the state is considered an ember zone. Another phrase that firefighters use is “W.U.I.” That stands for Wildland-Urban Interface. It represents the line between settled communities and wilderness. Given the state’s vast reaches of undeveloped land, the WUI line in the state is long indeed. 

You can count on local authorities to be involved with keeping your community safe from fire. State and local fire departments will work to keep fire away and fight the fires that do occur. If flames ever become a threat to residential areas, local officials will send word to evacuate.

Your role? Be aware and prepare. Learn whatever fire safety rules local agencies have to teach and take advantage of resources intended to keep you safe. The American Red Cross teaches fire safety year-round and provides safe shelter when asked to do so.

Preparing for wildfire season includes what firefighters call “hardening” your property — taking steps to keep fire from taking hold. A flaming ember may drift onto your land, but it won’t spread wildfire if you have removed anything on your land that could burn.  

The space in greatest need of being hardened is the land that lies 100 feet from your home, referred to as “defensible space.”

A good rule of thumb is, it can burn, get rid of it. Clear out plants that can burn and replace them with fire-resistant plants that have a high moisture content and grow low to the ground. Your local plant nursery can help you pick the right plants for the job. Clear away weeds and keep grass and plants trimmed close to the ground. When you clear away plants and undergrowth, do it early in the day before temperatures rise enough to catch fire. 

Keep woodpiles, propane tanks and combustible materials away from your house and outbuildings. Keep trees away from power lines and space trees far enough apart so fire doesn't spread easily from one tree to the next.
Then talk to your neighbors about their fire safety plans. Make building ember zone defenses a community exercise. 

Fire officials in Kitsap County say, “The roof is the most vulnerable part of your home because it can easily catch fire from wind-driven embers,” with roofs made of wood-shake or shingles are at greatest risk.

Block any space under porches or decks where embers could fly in and set something on fire. 

Trim trees so that no branches come within 10 feet of any building. 

Clear away leaves, pine needles and other debris from the roof that could be ignited by flying embers 

Vents on homes are easy pathways for flying debris to pierce your defenses. Cover the chimney and all vents with 1/8” or smaller metal mesh.

Don't use fiberglass or plastic mesh, which can melt or burn. Heat from a wildfire can cause windows to crack, letting flames into your home.

Don’t let plants grow tall enough to block windows. If tall foliage catches fire, the heat can crack windows. 

Avoid what is called “ladder fuel.” That would be foliage growing tall enough to reach into the crowns of trees. Fire can burn up the ladder into the trees.  

The final stay-safe rule for ember zone dwellers comes from the Red Cross, and it has to do with preparing a “go bag” and keeping it handy in case you must flee a fire or other disaster.

Fill the bag with the essentials your family would need if
you had to evacuate. You want extra clothing and sanitary supplies, and enough doses of necessary medications to last for at least two weeks.

• Include $100 in small bills to cover expenses while you're away.
• Have a portable radio and at least one flashlight for each family member — plus lots of fresh batteries.

Finally, know ahead of time where you are likely to be evacuated, and make sure you know at least two routes to reach the shelter safely. 

Fine information about wildfire safety, preparedness, and resources available to support your community at: redcross.org/northwest-region-wildfire-safety-visits.html