Collier County Extension
Brush Fire Safety


Protecting Your Home Against Wildfire
Along the Urban – Wildland Interface

Two key issues that must be addressed when thinking about protecting your home against wild fires are:

*   Defensible Space  - The space between the home and the wildlands which allows firefighters room to put out fires around your home

o       at least 30 feet

o       Reduce dense vegetation

Flammable Plants

  • Saw Palmetto

  • Wax Myrtle

  • Yaupon Holly

  • Red Cedar

  • Gallberry

Remove these plants from within 30 feet of your home.

 Less Flammable Plants

  • Magnolia

  • Oaks

  • Ferns

  • Viburnum

  • Beautyberry

  • Coontie

*   Emergency Access - Make it easy for fire trucks and other emergency equipment to get to and around your house

o       Clearly label your street name and house number

o       Make sure the driveway has at least a 16 ft clearance of vegetation

 How fire proof is your home?

  • Siding, soffit, and roofing should be made with heat resistant materials.
  • Try to keep the roof clear of pine needles and make every effort to trim old dead, and overhanging branches from trees.
  • Is there a water hydrant close to your property? If not you can provide emergency water supply to fire fighters from your pool or pond. Keep a 100 foot of hose available to stop small fires from spreading.

Collier County Emergency Number:
COLLIER COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
3301 East Tamiami Trail  
Naples, Florida 34112  
(239) 774-8444

Resources:

University of Florida IFAS Extension, Wildland Fire Education Handbook SP 297

University of Florida IFAS Extension “Landscaping in Florida with Fire in Mind” Brochure FOR71 Jan 2001

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry, http://www.fl-dof.com/wildfire/index.html

Florida Division of Forestry, www.fl-dof.com

Smokey Bear www.smokeybear,com

Firewise Communities http://www.fl-dof.com/wildfire/fire_mitigation_index.html www.firewise.org

 

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