Texas Has The Nation’s Greatest Wildfire Risk
The combination of drought, high winds and an excess of dried vegetation has made fire seasons increasingly dangerous each year. Add that to the increasing number of communities that are located near woodlands or grassland and the risk climbs even higher. Of the top 10 states with the number of wildfires in 2014,
- Texas 9,677 fires; 131,138 acres burned
- California 7,865 fires; 555,044 acres burned
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North Carolina 4,625 fires; 15,601 acres burned - Georgia 3,562 fires; 19,199 acres burned
- Oregon 3,087 fires; 985,629 acres burned
- Florida 2,436 fires; 101,599 acres burned
- Alabama 2,093 fires; 40,527 acres burned
- Montana 1,646 fires; 38,118 acres burned
- Arizona 1,543 fires; 205,199 acres burned
- Washington 1,480 fires; 386,972 acres burned
Data provided by the NIFC
- Take care of the clean, open space around your home by removing dead shrubs, dried grass, fallen branches and dried leaves within 30 feet on all sides of a structure.
- Keep trees and shrubs properly thinned and pruned within the defensible space.
- Remove ladder fuels – plants, low branches, and fire wood that let a fire on the ground climb into the trees.
- Clear three to five feet around the base of the house and fill the space with fire-resistant plants or materials such as rocks or gravel.
- Keep your roof and gutters clear of debris and remove overhanging branches.
- Keep grass and weeds mowed at a low height.
In addition to protecting your home, review your homeowner's insurance coverage with your agent, especially if you have made recent changes to your property. We recommend that you purchase an amount of coverage at least equal to the estimated replacement cost. Since it is impossible to predict today what the exact cost will be to replace your home in the future, it's important to have enough coverage to account for unforeseen circumstances. Remember to document your belongings by creating a home inventory. An accurate inventory and proof of ownership can make your claim settlement easier and faster.
For more information and ideas on how to make your community wildfire ready, visit the Wildfire Community Preparedness Day webpage at www.wildfireprepday.org.
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