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Wildland Operations
A Red Flag flying at the Fire Station means that “A Red Flag Warning” has been issued by the National
Weather Service. A Red Flag Warning is a forecast warning issued by the United States National
Weather Service to tell area firefighting and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for
Wildland fire ignition and propagation. When humidity is very low, and especially when high or erratic
winds (which may include lightning as a factor), the Red Flag Warning becomes a critical statement for
firefighting agencies, which often alter their staffing and equipment resources dramatically to
accommodate the forecast risk. To the public, a Red Flag Warning means high fire danger with
increased probability of a quickly spreading vegetation fire in the area within 24 hours.
Outdoor burning is banned during periods of Red Flag Warnings.
The Summit Fire Department supports a Wildland Division that is supported by the administration,
career and volunteer firefighters. The department has a written contract with the Arizona State Land
Department. Within this contract, the Summit Fire Department contracts out its wildland fire
suppression vehicles along with a crew of wildland firefighters.
Wildland Fire Safety Tips
If you live where flammable vegetation is abundant, your house and property could be a target for a
wildland fire. Be prepared for these damaging fires, triggered by lightning or accidents, that sweep
through the woods. The following safety tips will create a fire safe environment for your property.
10 Steps to Wildfire Defense
1. Define your defensible space. Create a 30-foot, non-combustible zone around your house. It is the
most effective safeguard against wildfire.
2. Reduce flammable vegetation, trees and brush around your home. Choose fire-resistant plants with
loose branching habits, high moisture content and little seasonal accumulation of dead vegetation.
3. Remove or prune trees. Remove or thin overcrowded or weakened trees. Prune low-hanging
branches to keep ground fires from climbing into trees.
4. Cut grass and weeds regularly. Fire loves dry grass and weeds. Mow or trim low vegetation and
keep it well-watered, especially during dry seasons.
5. Relocate wood piles and leftover building materials. Stack all burnable materials at least 30 feet away
from your home and other buildings.
6. Keep your roof and yard clean. Pine needle build-up on composition shingle roofs can burn off the
"gravel" surface layer and spread fire into the home. The Forest Service’s Cohen also found that — in
several cases — exterior wood walls caught fire from concentrations of pine needles that lined their
base.
7. Keep signs and addresses visible, and keep the home accessible. Highly visible signs and address
numbers allow firefighters to find your home quickly during an emergency. Safe, easy access to your
property includes driveways with well-trimmed peripheral vegetation. Contact your local fire agency for
recommendations.
8. Rate your roof. In a wildfire, it’s the most vulnerable part of your house. Consider treatment or
replacement of a wood shake roof. If you have a fireplace or wood stove, install an approved spark
arrestor.
9. Regularly recycle yard debris and branches. Check into alternative disposal methods such as
composting or recycling. If you burn yard debris, first contact your local fire agency for current
regulations.
10. Know what to do when wildfire strikes. Monitor local radio and TV for fire reports and evacuation
procedures. Arrange garden hoses so they can reach any part of your house. Keep an emergency
checklist handy and make sure it includes closing all windows and doors and packing your car for
quick departure.
During A Wildland Fire
When there is time to warn the public, local radio and television stations will broadcast emergency
instructions and advisory information. Keep a battery-powered radio with you so you can listen for
emergency updates.
Use water or a fire extinguisher to put out small fires. Do not try to put out a fire that is out of control. If
you are not sure if you can control it, get everyone out of the house and call the fire department from a
neighbor's house. Don't stay with your home in an attempt to save it.
Take identification, medicines, glasses, credit cards, insurance policies and financial records with you.
wear protective clothing.
If your clothes catch on fire, Stop, Drop, Cover Your Face and Roll until the fire is extinguished.
Running only makes the fire burn faster.
Sleep with your door closed. If you wake up to the sound of a smoke detector, feel the bottom of the
door with the palm of your hand before you open it. Alert other people to the fire danger. If the door is
COOL, leave immediately. Be prepared to crawl. Smoke and heat rise, and the air is cleaner and cooler
near the floor. If the door is HOT, escape through a window. If you cannot escape, hang a sheet
outside the window, alerting fire fighters to your presence.
Be prepared to shut off electricity, gas and water at main switches and valves. Lock your home.
After A Wildland Fire
Do not enter a fire-damaged building unless authorities say it is ok.
Beware of structural damage. Roofs and floors may be weakened and need repair.
Contact your local disaster relief service, such as the American Red Cross or Salvation Army, if you
need housing, food, or personal items that were destroyed in the fire.
Call your insurance agent. Keep records of all clean-up and repair costs. Receipts are important for
both insurance and income tax claims. Do not throw away and damaged goods until an official
inventory has been taken. Damages are considered by your insurance company.
I you're a tenant, contact the landlord. It's the property owner's responsibility to prevent further loss or
damage to the structure.
Secure remaining personal belongings or move them to another location. Ask law enforcement
officials to watch the property.
Discard food, beverages and medicines that have been exposed to heat, smoke or soot. Do not
attempt to refreeze food that has thawed.
Notify friends, family, law enforcement, fire department, insurance agent, mortgage company, utility
companies, employers, and the post office of your whereabouts.
Summit Fire District
Fire Departments don't succeed, people do. |
