Our partners at Douglas County and South Metro Fire Rescue are hosting a Home Ignition Class. The class will focus on evaluating structures and properties for ignition vulnerabilities and provides measures to increase structure survival during wildland fire events. Register by Wednesday, Aug. 24 to attend this one-day class on either Sept. 23 or 24.
What is the Home Ignition Zone?
Research around home destruction vs. home survival in wildfires points to embers and small flames as the main way that the majority of homes ignite in wildfires. Embers are burning pieces of airborne wood and/or vegetation that can be carried more than a mile through the wind and can cause spot fires and ignite homes, debris, and other objects.
There are methods for homeowners to prepare their homes to withstand ember attacks and minimize the likelihood of flames or surface fire touching the home or any attachments. Experiments, models and post-fire studies have shown homes ignite due to the condition of the home and everything around it, up to 200’ from the foundation. This is called the Home Ignition Zone.
