 Wildfires - Are You Prepared?
Unless you are a newcomer to the area you vividly
remember the 1998 summer wildfires. The long hot smoky days, the mandatory
evacuations of homes, communities, and even counties, and the fear and anxiety of not
knowing what would happen next. This was certainly a trying time for our community. In
fact, last summer’s wildfires were among the largest on record. Coupled with extreme
drought-like conditions, fires raged out of control in nearly every county in Florida
scorching over 500,000 acres, damaging or destroying homes and commercial structures, and
costing $158.1 million in fire suppression operations. As anyone could imagine with a
disaster of this magnitude local firefighting agencies were quickly overpowered, this
resulted in firefighting resources from 48 states being sent to help battle the blazes.
Ironically, the Florida fires resulted in the largest fire department mobilization in the
history of our nation.
This web page was created by the Ormond Beach Fire Department to provide basic wildfire
safety information to the residents of Ormond Beach and surrounding areas. Weather
forecasters are predicting a dryer than normal winter for 1999 which could result in the
drought-like conditions our area experienced last year thus increasing the wild fire
threat significantly.
Please review the following information and take the necessary steps to help protect
your family and property should a wildfire occur.
BEFORE WILDFIRE
THREATENS
Make sure that fire
vehicles can get to your home. Clearly mark all driveway entrances and make sure your
address is posted and clearly visible from the street or roadway (minimum size of numbers
is 4 in. in height).
Report hazardous conditions that could cause a fire.
Plan and identify several different escape routes away from your home and neighborhood by
car and foot.
Talk to your neighbors about fire safety. Consider how to help neighbors who have
special needs (elderly or disabled persons).
Make plans to take care of children who may be on their own if parents can’t get
home.
If you observe smoke in your neighborhood call 911 immediately to permit prompt
investigation.
PROTECT YOUR HOME
Regularly clean roofs and gutters. Remove dead leaves and pinestraw.
Install and maintain smoke detectors, test monthly and change the batteries at least
once each year.
Purchase and install at least one A-B-C all purpose fire extinguisher and teach each
family member how to use it.
Make certain water hoses are equipped with spray nozzles and are in working order.
CREATE A SAFETY ZONE AROUND
YOUR HOME
 Homes built in pine
forests (high to extreme fuel hazard rating), should have a minimum safety zone of 30
feet. This area helps to reduce potential exposure to flames and radiant heat and also
provides a defensible space for firefighters to protect your home.
Rake leaves, dead limbs, and pine needles. And dispose of properly. (open burning other
than commercial land clearing, is prohibited within the city).
Clean and thin underbrush areas. Trim tree branches up to 6 foot high.
Water and mow grass regularly. (be sure to follow water restrictions).
Store gasoline, and other flammable liquids in approved safety cans.
WHEN WILDFIRE THREATENS
If you are warned that a wildfire is threatening your area, tune to local radio and
television stations for reports and evacuation information. The Ormond Beach Police
Department is responsible for notifying residents of any evacuation. This is typically
done by going door to door, vehicle loudspeakers, and/or an automated phone dialing
system.
Confine pets to one room. Make plans to care for your pets in case you must evacuate
(evacuation shelters do not allow pets).
Arrange temporary housing at a friend or relative’s home outside the threatened
area.
IF ADVISED TO EVACUATE, DO SO
IMMEDIATELY
Follow directions of emergency officials.
Make sure to take any necessary prescription medications or medical equipment with you.
Lock your home. Follow the designated routes.
IF YOU'RE SURE YOU HAVE TIME...
Place lawn sprinklers on the roof.
Close windows, doors, vents, and window coverings.
Turn off propane tanks.
Place patio furniture and plastic play sets inside.
CREATE A FAMILY DISASTER PLAN
Wildfire and other types of disasters -- hurricane, tornado, flooding, hazardous
material spills, etc.-- can strike quickly and without warning. You can cope with disaster
by preparing in advance and working together to create a family disaster plan.
WILDFIRE HAZARD AREAS
The National Fire Protection Association Standard #299 (standard for the protection of
life and property from wildfire) is the document most recognized throughout the country
that identifies minimum planning, construction, education, and management elements for
community wildfire protection. As part of this standard, a wildfire severity analysis is
recommended to be performed (simply put, what part(s) of a given area are most prone to
wildfire). Using this standard and information from the Florida Division of Forestry the
Ormond Beach Fire Department has identified and established the following fuel hazard
ratings and locations within the City of Ormond Beach.
NATIVE FUEL TYPE HAZARDS
EXTREME
Palmetto/ gallberry, thick brush over 6 ft. under dense pine trees
HIGH
Palmetto/ gallberry over 6 ft. with scattered or no pine trees
Palmetto/ gallberry 3 to 6 ft. under dense pine trees
Dense pine trees under 30 ft. tall
MODERATE
Palmetto/ gallberry under 3 ft.
Tall grasses over 3 ft.
LOW
Hardwood hammocks (oak, magnolia, palm, etc.)
Grasses under 3 ft.
FUEL HAZARD RATINGS AND
LOCATIONS
Beachside east of Intracoastal Waterway - this area has been classified as
a low to moderate fuel hazard rating. Vegetation consists of mainly coastal type plants
with oak and palm hammocks. The major fuel type in this area is palmetto.
Intracoastal Waterway west to Nova Road - low to moderate fuel hazard
rating. Most of this area is developed however, several undeveloped areas contain sand
pine and palmetto. Most vegetation is similar to the beachside area.
Nova Road west to Interstate 95 / north city limits - moderate to high
fuel hazard rating. Vegetation consists of slash and sand pines with palmetto / gallberry
and scattered hardwood hammocks. Mixed in are several planned communities and industrial
parks (airport area). Residents of this area should particularly identify secondary escape
routes from subdivisions.
West of Interstate 95 - most of this area is classified as a
high fuel hazard rating consisting of mature slash pine and thick palmetto / gallberry
brush. Last summer’s wildfire greatly reduced the fuel loading in this area but there
still exists a large amount of unburned area. Also in this area are several large planned
communities. These areas are the classic wildland urban interface and are much more prone
to wildfires.
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