Welcome to the GACC Wildfire Preparedness Committee web page.
OUR MISSION - The mission of the GACC Wildfire Preparedness Committee is to educate Avenues residents of the dangers of wildfire within our community and to help them prevent, prepare, and mitigate.
Residents may submit a request for a Defensible Space Assessment here: https://www.slc.gov/fire/contact/.
There is a new GACC Wildfire/Firewise web-page with resources and recommendations for those who live in the “Firewise Candidate" area and for those living outside the official Firewise area who want to know more about how to protect their home, family and community. See the new page here: FIREWISE
Over 1,500 residences within the Avenues are vulnerable to the threats and risks of wildfire due to their proximity to the fire-prone “Wildland Urban Interface” (WUI). It is important for these residents to understand how fire can damage their homes and property and how they can lessen the possibility of damage. If each of us does our part to reduce risk, we can collectively create a safer, more resilient neighborhood.
OUR VISION
The vision of the Committee is a neighborhood that is resilient to wildfire and whose residents proactively work to reduce the risks associated with living in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).
GACC Wildfire Preparedness Links:
US Drought monitor – https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
Western US Mega drought – https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/american-west-may-be-entering-megadrought-worse-any-historical-record-180974688/
Utah Wildfire Season – https://www.deseret.com/utah/2022/4/11/23020513/california-utah-western-states-face-scary-wildfire-season-drought-snowpack-dry-west
Marshall Fire (Louisville, CO) – https://wildfiretoday.com/tag/marshall-fire/ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yUlntyZW5yo
Weather details of Marshall fire and video of widespread destruction - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jR3O7w9B1xs
NCAR Fire (Boulder, CO) – https://wildfiretoday.com/tag/ncar-fire/ https://wildfiretoday.com/2022/03/27/ncar-wildfire-prompts-evacuations-near-boulder-colorado/
Be Aware of weather conditions – https://www.weather.gov/fire/ https://www.wfas.net/index.php/fire-danger-rating-fire-potential--danger-32 (Eastern Great Basin - Rocky Mountains)
Have a Plan – https://www.slc.gov/fire/ready-set-go/ https://www.ready.gov/wildfires
“Go Bags” - The best go bags are personalized. Everyone's most likely risks (wildfire, earthquake, etc.) and personal needs (kids, pets, meds, etc) are different. Where we are each likely to evacuate to may also be different (shelter, friends or relatives, office space, etc.).
Some people like to pack items by category (or switch out clothes by season) in smaller organization bags like many people use for travel (there are a lot of choices - one example: https://www.eaglecreek.com/collections/organizers
Here are two web-sites with good suggestions for personalized “Go Bags”: https://www.ready.gov/kit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SOlvLKjMm0D0sWpqjVxX6Tv5ghft3pUl/view (this is from BeReady.Utah.gov)
How Do Homes Burn in a Wildfire? (Hint – It is often the small things!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QthynXympI
Yard Litter and Landscaping - Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) – https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021_CSFS_HIZGuide_Web.pdf https://www.slc.gov/fire/wildland/
Remodeling - Structural envelope – https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/fema_p_737_0.pdf
SLC September 8, 2020 windstorm – https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Utah_windstorm
Five things that need to be done () – https://wildfiretoday.com/2019/04/24/five-things-that-need-to-be-done-to-protect-fire-prone-communities/
SLC has a new Citizen Wildfire Mitigation Program for "Fire Mitigation Permit Eligible" properties. Visit this link to see if your property qualifies: https://slcgov.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=647267057ace455bbc388d7816abfb16
We encourage all to review the “Guidelines for Trimming and Seeding of Grasses on Salt Lake City Open Space Lands Adjacent to ELIGIBLE PARCELS”: https://www.slc.gov/parks/trails-natural-lands/citizen-wildfire-mitigation-permit-program/
WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS GUIDELINES
The best thing a homeowner can do to protect their property is create defensible space. Some easy and immediate steps to take are:
- Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris, and pine needles that could catch embers.
- Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration.
- Reduce embers that could pass through vents in the eaves by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening.
- Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install 1/8 inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers.
- Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows
- Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
- Move any flammable material away from wall exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn.
- Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.
The time you spend on wildfire prevention around your home is important and the SLC Fire Department is asking residents to report the hours you spend removing possible wildfire fuels around your home.
More information on wildfire prevention and preparation can be seen at https://www.slc.gov/fire/wildland/.
See the Wildfire Evacuation Checklist HERE
Please contact your Greater Avenues Wildfire Preparedness Community Liaison, Shane Carlson, at (801) 596-3939 with any questions.