How to Safeguard Your Home From Montana Wildfires

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - With the arrival of spring, the Missoula Rural Fire Department reminds residents that May is Wildfire Preparedness Month.

I spoke to MRFD Rural Firefighter 2 and Firefighter Paramedic Meghan Bennell this week, who provided helpful tips on how to prepare your home and property for wildfire season.

May is Wildfire Preparedness Month

“It’s a great time for people to prepare their homes for that dry season,” began Bennell. “When the rain goes away, everything starts to dry up. It's getting hotter, and we just want to make sure that the home ignition zone, which is zero to 100 feet from your home, is safe and can withstand wildfire and protect your home as best as possible.”

Bennell began with the basic steps for any homeowner in the wildland urban interface.

“We have some tips for homeowners out there in Missoula County and renters to clear leaves and other debris from your gutters, eaves, porches and decks,” she said. “This will prevent embers from igniting your home, and, of course, 90 percent of home ignitions caused by wildland fires are from embers.”

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Clear Leaves and Debris Away from Your Home

We all love the trees on our properties, and Bennell said there are successful strategies to keep them from becoming fire hazards.

“Wildfires can spread to tree tops, so prune those trees within the bottom six to 10 feet from the ground,” she said. “Keep your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it's brown, cut it down to reduce fire intensity. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire. Also, don't let debris and lawn cuttings linger. Dispose of these items quickly to reduce fuel for fire, inspect shingles or roof tiles, replace or repair those that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration.”

READ MORE: Mystery Blaze Starts Fire Season

You Can Ask Missoula Rural Fire for a Wildfire Risk Assessment

In addition to all the tips, Bennell said trained personnel from Missoula Rural Fire can come to your home to conduct a wildfire risk assessment.

“Within Missoula County, a lot of the agencies here do home risk assessments through our website,” she said. “Just look up Missoula Rural Fire District, and you'll find our website. There's a link on there to put in a request for a home assessment.”

Bennell said if a wildfire approaches, evacuate your home as quickly as possible because promptly leaving clears will roads for firefighting personnel to access the area.