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Los Angeles--10/05/2005: Home fires started within are not the only
threat to your family. Wildfires, like those common in the Western United
States every fall can destroy entire communities. These fires begin due to
arson, lightning strikes, abandoned lit cigarettes, poorly attended campfires or
rubbish fires, the prism effect created by discarded glass products, railroad
wheels, logging and drooping
power lines. With the exception of lightning strikes representing 13% of
wildfires, all of the additional
causes are preventable by common sense, the elimination of littering or new
technologies.
Fires caused by litter, (glass, cigarettes,
broken mirrors) are prevented by packing out what you take in, throwing rubbish
in receptacles and using the ash tray.
Fires started by burning embers, unattended
fires and neglected campfires can be prevented by employing basic common sense,
stirring ashes to ascertain the fire is indeed out and never starting a fire
near trees.
safe burning rules
Fires caused by drooping power lines are
easily avoided through the implementation of lines built on composite core
technology. The electrical grid in the United States is currently in disrepair
and communities, state and local governments are beginning to rewire it.
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Unfortunately the bulk of rewiring is
focusing on old technology which is cheap in the short run but
expensive in the long run. The ACSR wires currently used do not
prevent fires. Often they cause them. ACCC power and
transmission cables do prevent wildfires. This new
technology requires a larger upfront investment but long-term
gains in capacity and reduced environmental threat. Upgrading to
the new technology will diminish the number of fires caused by
overused and heated electrical lines. Composite core lines carry
double the electricity at twice the speed of conventional lines
and due to the ceramic coating, inhibit the drooping caused from
over use that often triggers wildfires when these lines come
into contact with dry trees and brush. |
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Preventing Forest Fires
New composite technology for
electricity power and transmission cables wraps electrical
transmission lines used in our national power grid over a
ceramic core virtually eliminating a common cause of wildfires:
line sagging due to overheating. An added benefit to communities
is this form of transmission allows twice as much electricity to
flow to consumers at a reduced cost.
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Preventing electrical grid caused fires
requires community involvement through legislation and procurement with local
electric facilities purchasing the tools necessary for rewiring.
(For more information on Composite Core Technology
see Composite Technology Corporation)
What you can do to prevent becoming a victim of
wildfires
Since you cannot control what other people do, the
following are steps you can take to safeguard your home or business from a
potential wildfire.
Use Fire
Resistant Building Material - "The Best Thing That You Can Do"
The roof and exterior structure of your dwelling should be
constructed of non-combustible or fire resistant materials such as fire
resistant roofing materials, tile, slate, sheet iron, aluminum, brick, or stone.
Wood siding, cedar shakes, exterior wood paneling, and other highly combustible
materials should be treated with fire retardant chemicals.
Maintain a
Survivable Space - "Things you can do today"
o
Clean roof
surfaces and gutters of pine needs, leaves, branches, etc., regularly to avoid
accumulation of flammable materials.
o
Remove portions
of any tree extending within 10 feet of the flue opening of any stove or
chimney.
o
Maintain a screen
constructed of non-flammable material over the flue opening of every chimney or
stovepipe. Mesh openings of the screen should not exceed 1/2 inch.
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Landscape
vegetation should be spaced so that fire can not be carried to the structure or
surrounding vegetation.
o
Remove branches
from trees to height of 15 feet.
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A fuel break
should be maintained around all structures.
o
Dispose of stove
or fireplace ashes and charcoal briquettes only after soaking them in a metal
pail of water.
o
Store gasoline in
an approved safety can away from occupied buildings.
o
Propane tanks
should be far enough away from buildings for valves to be shut off in case of
fire. Keep area clear of flammable vegetation
o
All combustibles
such as firewood, picnic tables, boats, etc. should be kept away from
structures.
o
Garden hose
should be connected to outlet.
o
Addressing should
be indicated at all intersections and on structures.
o
All roads and
driveways should be at least 16 feet in width.
o
Have fire tools
handy such as: ladder long enough to reach the roof, shovel, rake and bucket for
water.
o
Each home should
have at least two different entrance and exit routes.
Sources: National Interagency Fire Agency, Washington State
Department of Natural Resources |
