Module 4, Lesson 2

1

When Wildfire Occurs
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Developed by Ed Smith University of Nevada
Cooperative Extension
Reno Gazette Journal
2
What well be covering

• Why people dont take action
• What to do during a wildfire
• What to do after a wildfire has occurred

3
Nevada Appeal
Why people dont take action
4
Why dont people in your area take action?
Ed Smith, UNCE
5
Reason 1
I didnt know there was a wildfire threat in
my neighborhood.
6
Unaware
Carson City Fire Department
7
Reason 2
It wont happen to me.
8
Denial
Nevada Appeal
9
Reason 3
Its all fate, when your number is up, its
up.
10
Destiny
Brian Randall
11
Reason 4
It wont make a difference
12
Futility
Ben Hammack
13
Reason 5
Its not my job.
14
Irresponsibility
Ben Hammack
15
Reason 6
So what, my insurance will build me a new
house.
16
Insurance
17
Reason 7
If it was important, my insurance company would
give me a break on my premium.
18
No incentives
19
Reason 8
Its wrong to cut trees.
20
Unnatural or wrong
Tahoe-Douglas Fire Protection District
21
Reason 9
It wont look good.
22
Aesthetics and function
Ed Smith, UNCE
23
Reason 10
I dont want to because of poison oak, lyme
disease, hantavirus, etc.
24
Discomfort
JoAnne Skelly, UNCE
25
Reason 11
I dont have the time or money to do it.
26
Cost
Ed Smith, UNCE
27
Reason 12
I dont know what to do.
28
Unknowledgeable
Ed Smith, UNCE
29
Reason 13
I dont have an easy way to get rid of all that
stuff.
30
Disposal
Ed Smith, UNCE
31
Reason 14
Its against the law.
32
Illegal
UNCE, Reno, Nev.
33
Reason 15
I dont own it.
34
Lack of ownership
Gary Greene
35
Are there other reasons why people dont reduce
the wildfire threat to their properties?
36
Why dont people in your neighborhoods take
action?
Ed Smith, UNCE
37
During the wildfire
F. M. Global
38
During the wildfire

• What you should wear
• What you should take
• How you should leave
• your property

39
It will likely be smoky, windy, hot and very dry
Nevada Appeal
40
What you should wear and carry
What to wear pic
Ed Smith, UNCE
41
Place your car in the garage
Ed Smith, UNCE
42
What should you take
?
43
What you should take

• IRS and insurance documents
• Investment and trust documents
• Birth certificates
• Medical records
• Credit and ATM cards

44
What you should take

• Cash and checkbook
• Medications
• Prescription glasses
• Drivers license and passport
• Computer files

45
What you should take

• Address book
• Cell phone and charger
• Personal toiletries
• A change of clothing
• Keepsakes (photo albums, etc.)

46
If theres time
Ed Smith, UNCE
47
How you should leave your property
48
Evacuate family members and pets
Nevada Appeal
49
Livestock concerns

Willie Riggs, UNCE
50
Livestock concerns

Jeff Amberger, AFMO, Elko BLM
51

If you had to evacuate your animals on short
notice, where would you take them?
52
Inside the home
Ed Smith, UNCE
53
Outside the home
Ed Smith, UNCE
54
Outside the home
Bureau of Land Management
55
Outside the home
Nevada Appeal
56
Health risks of smoke
Nevada Appeal
57
After the wildfire
Ed Smith, UNCE
58
What to do after a wildfire

• Before you enter buildings
• Inside the buildings
• Landscape and property care

59
After an evacuation

• Contact your insurance agent
• Keep receipts
• Do not reenter the area until permitted to do so
  by law enforcement officials

60
Be careful when returning
Charred trees and power poles Power lines
Nevada Appeal
61
Check your utilities
Ed Smith, UNCE
Ben Hammack
Ed Smith, UNCE
62
Your property may be covered in ash
Yard covered in ash Dust mask
UNCE
Nevada Appeal
63
Check outside for embers
Ben Hammack
64
Inside the home
Ed Smith, UNCE
65
Inside other buildings
Checking barn, outbuildings, etc for embers
Kings Canyon Road Carson City homeowner,
Waterfall Fire, 2004
66
List of damaged items
Ben Hammack
67
Inside the home
Soot covered food
Ed Smith, UNCE
68
Inside the home
White Vinegar
Ed Smith, UNCE
69
Landscape and property care
Ed Smith, UNCE
70
What grows back after the fire?
Ed Smith, UNCE
71
Will damaged trees and shrubs survive?
Tree cambium
Ed Smith, UNCE
72
Will damaged trees and shrubs survive?
Green buds
JoAnne Skelly, UNCE
Ed Smith, UNCE
73
Irrigation systems
Ed Smith, UNCE
74
Landscape and property care
Irrigate trees
Ed Smith, UNCE
75
Beetles and other insects
Ed Smith, UNCE
76
Damaged lawn
Ed Smith, UNCE
77
Pasture care
Ed Smith, UNCE
78
Soil microorganisms
Ed Smith, UNCE
79
Soil erosion
North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District
80
Hydrophobic soils
Ed Smith, UNCE
81
Erosion control
Nevada Division of Forestry
Ed Smith, UNCE
82
Invasive weeds after fire
Weeds
Ed Smith, UNCE
83
Fencing
Ken Conely, UNR
Ed Smith, UNCE
84
Water developments
Ken Conley, UNR
85
Questions?
86
Homework
Design a personal evacuation plan for your
property

• List what you want to take with you in the event
  of an evacuation.
• Describe the plans for your pets and livestock.
• Make a checklist for how you will leave your home
  and property.
• Designate a meeting place where family members
  will meet if separated.