Wind & Fire
As our winter seems to be ending we look forward to summer, however with the amount of water we have received the summer fire season may be aggressive (https://mohavedailynews.com/news/145924/state-braces-for-wildfire-season/). We live and work in the “wildland interface”. This is defined as an area where fire wildland fuels affect homes and buildings. For Sherwood and Mountain Rose Estates our goal is to reduce ignitability of our structures. This is done by raking pine needles, trimming trees growing close to homes and removing dead plants and debris. This type of clearance is very important when considering the impact of embers. Researchers are reporting an increase of urban conflagrations caused by ignitions from embers landing around homes. They have also noted the increase of home-to-home ignitions. A lot of this is caused by the wind.
Wind is a direct driver of fire behavior. The faster the wind, the faster the fire moves. Some research is now suggesting that 90% of ignitions of structures are affected by wildland fires. (Note UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute’s effect of wind on fires in structures at https://fsri.org/search?keyword=wind+driven+fires).
Property owners who understand that good property maintenance (fire resistive maintenance) likely will have a better outcome if their property is impacted by fire.
The Fire District is working to obtain financial aid and workers for residents that want help with trimming trees.
Fire Chief John Moede