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On the hills north of the Capitol, a July wildfire forced the evacuation of about 40 homes as flames quickly spread within a half-mile of a Salt Lake City neighborhood.
Evacuation orders were later lifted as firefighters began to contain the blaze, preventing damage to homes. But the sudden directive served as a reminder that it’s never too early to prepare for wildfires, especially as Utah this year faces a particularly active wildfire season.
Here are steps experts say you can take to better prepare your home and protect your family before a wildfire ignites.
Create defensible spaces around your home
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Firefighters station on Twickenham Drive as crews battle the Sandhurst fire on Ensign Peak in Salt Lake City on Sunday, July 21, 2024.
This step is essentially like creating “buffer areas” around your property, explained Karl Hunt, a spokesperson with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.
“What you’re doing is you’re creating an area where the fire can’t have direct access to get to your home,” Hunt said.
Here’s what the National Fire Protection Association recommends:
Five feet from your home: Make sure there are no combustibles in the area, such as firewood piles and dried grass. Make a point to clear rain gutters of dried-up leaves, too. Even the smallest fuels can accelerate into a large fire.
Five to 30 feet from your home: Considering planting flowers or other low-growing plants widely apart — at least two times their full-grown height. If they are already planted, it’s best to keep them under 18 inches tall.
When it comes to trees, opt for planting deciduous trees over coniferous trees, the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands recommends. Studies show deciduous trees burn less, while coniferous trees can be highly flammable.
Up to 200 feet away from your home: Make sure there are no dead plants or debris that could create a fire trail to your home. This includes overlapping tree branches that may lead toward and touch your roof.
For more information about creating defensible spaces, visit:
https://www.nfpa.org/en/Education-and-Research/Wildfire/Preparing-homes-for-wildfire
https://ffsl.utah.gov/fire/wildfire-community-preparedness/homeowner-education/
Pack a personalized disaster kit
Different people may need different things in their disaster kits, but common items include copies of important financial documents; military history records; and birth, death and marriage certificates.
The Utah Division of Emergency Management also recommends packing three days worth of nonperishable foods, plenty of water, at least five days worth of just-in-case cash, hygiene items and a first aid kit.
“In advance, write down a list of all the things in your home that you want to take with you in the event of an evacuation,” said Wade Mathews, a spokesperson emergency management division.
That way, you already know what to grab when danger looms. Personalized lists could include family heirlooms and other valuables, as well as prescription medication and items like contacts and contact lens solution.
Families with children should consider packing pacifiers, baby bottles, diapers, favorite toys and blankets. Those with pets should consider packing vaccination records and pet food, as well as making sure pets are wearing collars with ID tags.
For more information, visit beready.utah.gov.
Sign up for reverse 911 and other emergency alerts
When the wildfire ignited on Ensign Peak, first responders went door-to-door to notify neighbors that they needed to evacuate.
But there are many ways you could be alerted about crucial information in an emergency, depending on the size and location of the threat, Mathews said.
He suggested signing up for a local reverse 911 system, which can provide text, email and phone-call notifications about emergencies.
Each region or county will have their own alert system, Mathews said, so it’s important to research ahead of time. To sign up for Salt Lake County’s alert registry, visit slc.gov/em/alert-registry/.
Check — and double check — your insurance policy
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Firefighters drive around a roadblock near the Capitol as they head to toward the scene of the Sandhurst Fire in Salt Lake City on July 20, 2024.
Wildfires are typically included in a homeowner’s insurance policy, so unlike with flooding insurance, you may not need a separate plan.
But experts say there are still key things to pay attention to. “You’ve got to talk to your insurance company, or your insurance agent, to know what coverage you have, because it does vary it in terms of how much they’ll cover and what they’ll pay,” said Jon Pike, commissioner of the Utah Insurance Department.
Pike recommends checking your insurance policy about once a year, or whenever you see a premium increase.
Be sure to ask about your maximum coverage limits, what your policy covers in terms of your property’s value, what the homeowner’s responsibility is in the event of a loss, and how long the insurer typically takes to help homeowners recover from that loss.
“It’s good to go and see what other people’s experiences have been, especially those that are in a similar area to you, and then you can again make your decision based on what you believe your needs are,” Pike said.
What to do when wildfire strikes:
Preparation can bring you some peace of mind. But here’s what experts say to do when danger is imminent.
Lock all windows and doors: The smallest ember that finds its way into your home could lead to maximum damage. Secure windows and doors before you leave.
Seal openings if you can: Sealing openings to the outside can help prevent smoke damage, if you have the time to safely do so. It’s best to start this work as the threat of evacuation looms.
Be ready to change evacuation routes: Evacuation orders should include evacuation routes. But it’s best to familiarize yourself with the roadways in your area ahead of time. That way, if evacuation routes change as flames shift, you already know where you may need to go.
Look to the American Red Cross for shelter: The Utah Division of Emergency Management typically works with the American Red Cross to establish and operate local emergency shelters. These are often housed in schools, churches or other community centers.