Steps to Protect Your Home From Wildfire

Tips on how to protect your home from wildfire

1. Check your home itself:
Clear your roof and gutters of any pine needles or leaf accumulation.
Check that your vents and soffits have screens 1/8 inch or smaller.
Is your roof Class-A rated? If not, consider retrofitting to this standard.
2. Clear out the first 5 feet from the walls of your home:
Clear all dead vegetation, including plants, grass, weeds and pine needles. Maintain spacing between plants and trees.
Move flammable items at least 5 feet away from your home, including wood piles, trash cans, deck chair cushions, and anything stored under your deck. Maintain space between those items.
Replace combustible mulch with gravel or non-combustible material.
Prune back large shrubs and trim overhanging branches.
3. Check the 5-30 foot zone
Create breaks in vegetation. Mature tree canopy should be at least 10 feet from your home.
Clear vegetation from around propane tanks, wood piles and outbuildings.
Keep grasses mowed to 4 inches.
Remove low-hanging tree branches up to 10 feet

If a Wildfire is Burning Near Your Home Stay calm. Call 911 to report a fire. Cover all eave and roof vents. Cover large picture windows with plywood. Close all windows and doors; open drapes. Evacuate to a safe location https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/fire-prevention-programs/protecting-your-home-from-wildfire/