Typically with a “home in the woods”, the homes are surrounded by trees, brush or grassland and are usually spaced further apart. They may have long, private driveways off of the main road and may or may not have access to city water and hydrants.

As a fire is approaching, fire engines and crews will drive around the area looking for homes to save and help evacuate the last of the residents. These engines carry 300-500 gallons of water which will only last them a few minutes in a fire attack. Not only are they deciding on which houses to try to save, they are looking for the most valuable thing to a firefighter… water!

Fire crews will be looking for homes with clearly marked and accessible driveways (ones which are wide enough to drive up and turn around), 100’ of defensible space around the home, access to a water source, and a class “A” fire resistant roof. These are some of the things that make your house a “keeper”.

If overwhelmed by a quickly approaching fire front, fire crews may need to take shelter in your home as the fire burns past. If the home has caught fire, they will briefly attempt to extinguish it, but if it can’t be controlled within a minute or two (remember, they only have a very small amount of water), they are trained to abandon it and move on to another home. If they have a water source, they will probably be able to save the house.
 

Typically with a “home in the woods”, the homes are surrounded by trees, brush or grassland and are usually spaced further apart. They may have long, private driveways off of the main road and may or may not have access to city water and hydrants.

As a fire is approaching, fire engines and crews will drive around the area looking for homes to save and help evacuate the last of the residents. These engines carry 300-500 gallons of water which will only last them a few minutes in a fire attack. Not only are they deciding on which houses to try to save, they are looking for the most valuable thing to a firefighter… water!

Fire crews will be looking for homes with clearly marked and accessible driveways (ones which are wide enough to drive up and turn around), 100’ of defensible space around the home, access to a water source, and a class “A” fire resistant roof. These are some of the things that make your house a “keeper”.

If overwhelmed by a quickly approaching fire front, fire crews may need to take shelter in your home as the fire burns past. If the home has caught fire, they will briefly attempt to extinguish it, but if it can’t be controlled within a minute or two (remember, they only have a very small amount of water), they are trained to abandon it and move on to another home. If they have a water source, they will probably be able to save the house.