Wildland Defense

The Wildland Defense Section provides a number of services and also offers educational information to the community. The following pages will assist you by providing information about the weed abatement program, fuel modification requirements and hazard reduction program. Additional information is also provided to educate residents on other things they can do to make their home as firesafe as possible.

WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM

The Wildland Defense Section coordinates the clearing of weeds and brush on vacant lots throughout the entire City of Anaheim. The goal of this program is to help reduce potential fire hazards.

Notices are sent out to parcel owners requiring them to abate their property of hazards during the spring and fall season.

FUEL MODIFICATION

Fuel modification is required for any new construction in the wildland intermix area of city. The goal of fuel modification is to provide a defensible space from fire, for residential structures and business developments.

The fuel modification guidelines consist of different zones that are irrigated by sprinklers, and thinning requirements of natural vegetation. Certain plants are also required in these zones that are fire resistant and drought resistant.

To obtain requirements for fuel modification or a plant pallet list, please contact the Fire Prevention Division at (714) 765-3843.

HAZARD REDUCTION PROGRAM

The goal of the hazard reduction program is to improve the fire safety around each individual home, which is accomplished by conducting inspections of the structure and the landscaping, by fire engine companies and the administrative captain in the Anaheim Hills area. 

Over 10,000 inspections are accomplished annually in the Special Protection Area located in the wildland urban interface area of Anaheim Hills (east of the 55 freeway and south of the 91 freeway)

Click here to review  the requirements for making your home firesafe.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The following information is intended to assist residents living in wildland intermix areas and provides additional activities that can be taken to make your home as firesafe as possible.

Living in a house surrounded by nature and wildlands can be peaceful and beautiful, but it can also be risky. All over the country, people are rapidly moving into formerly unpopulated areas. The risk of a high intensity, violent wildfire, is rising in many wildland ecosystems, and with it comes an increased risk to homes in this interface area.

The good news for residents living in wildland settings is that many things can be done to protect your home before a wildland fire gets started. Wildfires present a major threat to homes in the wildland/urban interface. This is the area where wildland and residential areas meet, and where they can most be affected by each other. In 1991, a devastating fire in Oakland, California destroyed over 3,000 dwellings in a matter of hours. But wildfires occur in more places than California. Although high temperatures, low humidity and low rainfall increase the likelihood of a fire, wildfires can happen anywhere in the country, at any time. They are unpredictable and no region is immune from them. Nearly every year, the media reports a major wildfire. Major wildfires blaze across the country, putting entire towns, and hundreds of woodland homes at risk. If a wildfire occurs near you it may spread rapidly and become a serious problem. In short, if you are living or on the edge of a wildland area, please take time to prepare for the risk of wildfire.

ROOFING

A major cause of structure loss in the wildland area is the flammability of roofing materials.

Roofs can catch fire easily when windblown sparks land on them or from direct contact with flames from nearby trees, shrubs or neighboring structures. Once a flammable roof ignites, fire usually moves quickly to the rest of the structure.

When installing a new roof it is possible to combine aesthetics and fire protection. Ask your contractor about non-combustible or fire-resistant materials, such as Class A asphalt shingles, metal, cement and concrete products, or terra cotta tiles. Today there are even products that simulate the look of wood shakes. Only roofs rated and installed as a "Class A assembly" are approved for installation in the Special Protection Area of the city located in the wildland urban interface area of Anaheim Hills (east of the 55 freeway and south of the 91 freeway)

WINDOWS

Windows are another path into a home for flames and burning embers. Regular plate glass often breaks due to rapid changes in temperature, or bombardment by windblown projectiles. Once the window collapses, flames and burning embers have easy access into the interior of a house reducing the probability of its being saved.

Double-paned windows, with air space between the two pieces of glass, fare somewhat better than single panes and smaller panes; hold up better than larger ones.

Tempered glass is the wisest choice. It out-performs plate glass and is especially useful in larger applications such as picture windows. In fact, sliding glass doors must be made of tempered glass. You can easily retrofit existing windows with tempered glass where they are most likely to be exposed to a wildfire.

Skylights can also be a potential entry point for fire. Plastic skylights can melt under the intense heat and allow flying embers to enter your home. One significant way to protect your home in the event of a wildfire is to cover windows and skylights with non-flammable screening and shutters.

Additional structures attached to a residence, such as decks, porches, fences, and storage buildings, should be considered part of the structure and get as much attention as the house itself. Consider the following when making improvements outside your house to protect it from fire.

A trellis is a risk if it is either made of a combustible flammable material, or covered with flammable vegetation.

A patio deck can be hazardous in a wildfire area when combustible materials and debris accumulate beneath it. Elevated wooden decks located at the top of a hill can be in the direct line of a fire moving up the slope.

Do not attach fences to your house that are not fire resistant. A wooden fence attached to your home greatly increases its potential to ignite. Fences act like fuses or fuel bridges leading a fire right to your home. Consider adding a stone or concrete pillar at the end closest to the house.

Your porch or any other areas below the ground line can be screened with wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch, to keep out sparks and flames. Remember to keep weeds and brush cleared 30 to 100 feet from your home and from any additional structures.

VENTS AND EAVES

The vents in your home, around the attic, under-eave soffit vents, and underfloor vents, are another way that sparks and embers can find their way inside a home. Cover your exterior attic and underfloor vents with wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent sparks from being drawn into your home.

Walls act a bridge to rafter space underneath the roof. Therefore, under-eave soffit vents should be closer to the roofline, rather than to the wall, to prevent heat or flames from having a direct route into the attic spaces. For the same reason, the eaves themselves should be boxed so they are not exposed to fire. Don’t forget to provide adequate venting to prevent condensation.

WHEN FIRE THREATENS

The first thing to do during a wildland fire is to follow instructions of the local officials. If you can stay at your home, back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape. Shut the doors, roll up the windows and leave the keys in the ignition. Also, arrange temporary housing at the home of a friend or relative outside the threatened area. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

If you are advised to evacuate, you can wear protective clothing such as sturdy shoes, cotton or woolen clothing, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, gloves and handkerchief to protect your face. If you have a disaster kit, take it with you. Inform fire authorities when you leave and where you are going. Choose a route away from fire hazards. Watch for changes in the speed and direction of fire and smoke.

If you have time, there are some steps you can take to protect your home inside. Close windows, vents, doors, blinds or non-combustible window coverings, heavy drapes; and remove lightweight curtains. Open fireplace damper and close fireplace screens. Move as much flammable furniture as possible into the center of the house away form windows and sliding glass doors. Turn on a light in each room to increase the visibility of your home in heavy smoke.

Some things you can do outside the home would be to seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals. Turn off propane tanks, and shut off the gas meter. Place combustible patio furniture inside the garage or house. Have all garden hoses connected. Wet the roof, and wet or remove shrubs within 15 feet of the home.

If you have any questions or concerns about your property or a neighbor’s property, please contact the Wildland Defense Section at your convenience.