Don't Fuel the Burn - Wildfires and Alaska

Wildfires have impacted nearly every state, often raging out of control. Just weeks ago, we watched as Los Angeles burned. In recent years, wildfires have also devastated Alaska’s wilderness, destroying remote cabins and threatening communities. While the largest and most destructive fires occur in the Alaskan bush, they can spread into suburban areas. Unlike the lower 48, Alaska has limited firefighting resources, with most firefighters being seasonal. In years of early snowmelt, this can leave rural residents unprotected for weeks.

Homeowners can take two key steps to safeguard their properties:

• Design and maintain a landscape that discourages fires.

• Build with flame-resistant materials.

“Fires need fuel, such as dead trees, shrubs and grasses,” says Tchukki Andersen, BCMA, CTSP* and staff arborist with the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). “While no landscape is fireproof, there are steps you can take to reduce the danger.”  TCIA offers these tips for your landscape to combat wildfires:

• If you are in a wildfire-prone area, reduce the amount of potential fuel around your home. Provide enough tree- and shrub-free space between your home and the undeveloped land to help ensure that your home can survive without firefighters. 

  
  

• All dead branches that hang over your roof should be removed. Leaves, needles and other dead vegetation should not be allowed to build up on the roof or in gutters.

  
  

• In parts of the country where wildfires are rare but still possible, an area of well-irrigated vegetation should extend at least 30 feet from your home on all sides. In high-hazard areas, a clearance of between 50 and 100 feet or more may be necessary – especially on downhill sides of the lot.

  
  

• Further from the house, install low-growing shrubs. When planting trees, space them no closer than 10 feet apart. Beyond 100 feet from the house, dead wood and older trees should be removed or thinned by qualified professionals.

  
  

• The lower limbs of tall shade trees should be pruned 6 feet above the ground. A professional arborist should always be contacted to remove any large broken or dead limbs high in the tree. Careful pruning preserves a tree’s appearance, enhances structural integrity and assists in the plant’s ability to resist fire.

“As a general rule, the healthier the tree, the more likely it is to survive a fire,” explains Andersen. “In addition to pruning, a professional arborist can recommend fertilization, soil management, disease treatment or pest control measures to promote healthy trees. Landscape design and maintenance are also important factors in a home’s survival.” 

Find a professional

Ensure your property is protected with expert guidance from a professional arborist. At Polar Tree and Engine Care, our team will assess your landscape and implement strategies to make it more fire-resistant. Call us today to safeguard your home and land from wildfires!

*Board Certified Master Arborist, Certified Treecare Safety Professional