Banner Mountain Homeowners Association (BMHA) Est. 1984 
The Firewise Communities/USA (www.firewise.org) program is designed to provide a collaborative and effective management approach for preserving the wildland, while keeping the aesthetic flavor of the communities that reside there. The appeal and effectiveness of the Firewise program is that it can be tailored for adoption by any community and /or neighborhood that is committed to ensuring its citizens maximum protection from wildland fire. The following community assessment is intended as a resource to be used by the citizens of Banner Mountain for creating / maintaining a Firewise Community. The plan developed from the information in this assessment should be implemented in a collaborative manner, and updated and modified as needed to suit the needs and changes of the community. By updating and maintaining its plan a community will ensure that it is continuing to work toward a Firewise goal.
David Jaramillo of Sierra Forest Legacy, an 89 group organization focused on restoring and enhancing the forests and communities of the Sierra Nevada (www.sierraforestlegacy.org), was assigned to assess the area. Accompanying him were, Terry McMahan (Fire Prevention Officer/Nevada County Consolidated Fire District), Dave Stonum (Battalion Chief for Nevada County/CAL FIRE - morning only), Matthew Reischman (CAL FIRE - morning only), and Frans Velthuijsen, Bob Bogart, Willy Kollmeyer, and Chuck Staetz with Banner Mountain Homeowners Association.
August 20, 2008 Firewise Assessment
BANNER MOUNTAIN TODAY
Banner Mountain is located on a ridge above Nevada City in the Nevada County foothills, with elevations ranging from approximately 2,900 feet around Nevada City to about 3,900 feet at the summit of Banner Mountain. The community is surrounded mostly by private property, with Tahoe National Forest making up part of the eastern boundary of the association. There are three main creeks that flow off of Banner Mountain: Little Deer, Little Clipper, and Wolf Creek. The terrain within the Firewise Planning area (Banner Mountain HOA) is very diverse. There are areas that contain very steep slopes, while others are very gentle in nature. The weather here is moderate, with distinct variations among the seasons. It has a typical Mediterranean Climate with cold wet winters and hot dry summers. Summer temperatures average between 75-95 degrees F, while winter temperatures average between 36-55 degrees F. Annual rainfall is approximately 54 inches. Banner Mountain can accumulate several feet of snow as part of the annual precipitation.
European settlement began in and around Nevada City and Banner Mountain, originally known as Caldwell’s Upper Store, in the 1850’s as a gold rush community. Originally home exclusively to Native Americans, most notably the Maidu Indians, it is said that Nevada City was one of the largest European settlements in California during the height of the gold rush. During that period mines, stamp mills, timber mills, ranches, saloons, stores, and cabins were constructed to support the growing mining industry. In the succeeding time, Banner Mountain remained occupied, although the boom of the gold rush had diminished. Present day Banner Mountain (HOA) development includes approximately 2484 parcels, including those owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management (269.3 acres), making up approximately 9,655 acres.
Most of the homes in Banner Mountain are built amongst the forest, which allows residents to enjoy the natural environment. Recreation in and around Banner Mountain consists of camping, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, site seeing, horseback riding and many other outdoor activities. The Banner Mountain subdivision has no gas stations or stores so residents must travel down the mountain to Nevada City or Grass Valley to re-supply.
Nevada County Consolidated Fire Department (NCCFD) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) provide structural and wildland fire protection for this area. NCCFD is a combination of full-time paid staff and paid-call firefighters (PCF's), covering 143 square miles of residential, commercial, industrial, and rural areas through five service areas and 14 stations. NCCFD maintains 1 full time staffed station on Banner Lava Cap and an unmanned station on Quaker Hill Crossing. Nevada Irrigation District maintains fire hydrants throughout the community that aid in firefighting efforts.
BANNER MOUNTAIN AND THE WILDFIRE ENVIRONMENT Banner Mountain is located in a fire dependent environment, in fact fire has played a prominent role in shaping the natural environment here (attachment 1 & 2). Wildfire will happen; exclusion of wildfire is not an option. It is generally believed today that fires in the Sierra Nevada landscape are less frequent and more severe compared to the patterns present before European settlement. The absence of fire through fire suppression combined with historic logging practices has lead to a build-up of surface and ladder fuels throughout the forest. In many cases, small trees and shrubs have become a fire hazard to both the natural environment as well as to the human communities that live there (attachment 3 & 4). Therefore, the primary variables in a fire scenario are when and where the fire will occur in Banner Mountain and how destructive it will be to human lives and homes. This assessment addresses the wildfire related characteristics of Banner Mountain and how home design, construction materials and vegetation clearing by homeowners will affect the loss of life and property. It examines the area’s exposure to wildfire as it relates to ignition potential. The assessment does not focus on specific homes, rather it examines the community as a whole and identifies opportunities for the community to better prepare for fire when it does occur.
The general area surrounding Banner Mountain is forested by Sierra Mixed Conifer forest, including second and third growth ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), sugar pine (Pinus Lambertiana), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), white fir (Abies concolor), incense-cedar (Calocedrous decurrens), California black oak (Quercus kelloggii), canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis), bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum), and Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii) as well as shrubs, such as manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), bear clover (Chamaibatia foliolosa), and ceanothus (Ceanothus spp.). This vegetation has the potential to burn as a fast moving, highly intense crown fire with fire brands (lofting burning embers) creating spot fires well in front of the fire, upwards of 1.5 miles. The community itself will then be vulnerable to the ember shower generated at that time. If a single structure in Banner Mountain was to ignite due to a lofted fire brand, it would put dozens of homes and the surrounding forest at risk of igniting as well. High intensity crown fires burn past a structure very quickly (roughly 50-60 seconds) whereas a home can burn for hours and put out significantly more heat energy than a crown fire. Homes in Banner Mountain would ignite in several principle ways:
Firebrand ignition directly on homes will generally cause complete destruction of the home or structure. Firebrands will be generated from the surrounding high intensity fire and from burning homes and patches of vegetation in the community.
Research, such as that conducted by Jack Cohen (Physical scientist, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory), tells us that a house burns because of its interrelationship with everything within its home ignition zone (HIZ) ---- the house and its immediate surroundings. This research shows us that this zone predominantly determines the potential for home ignitions during a wildfire. This zone includes the house and its immediate surroundings up to 100 (see PRC 4291) feet, depending on the vegetation type, slope, and aspect. Here in Banner Mountain, we found that most homes share HIZ’s although many homes threatened the surrounding forest which would put many homes at risk should a single home ignite, and thus the need for collaboration is a critical element for the success of beautiful Banner Mountain. To avoid a home/structure ignition, a homeowner must eliminate the wildfire’s potential relationship with the said home/structure. Eliminating the fires potential to destroy homes can be accomplished by interrupting the natural path a fire takes. In this sense, you are essentially a fire guider, guiding the fire away from your home. Changing the path a fire takes in the HIZ is an important task that can result in an avoidance of home loss. To accomplish this, flammable items such as dead vegetation and other flammable material must be removed from the area immediately surrounding the structure to prevent flames from contacting it. Also, reducing the volume of live vegetation will affect the intensity of the wildfire as it enters into the HIZ. Once again, in Banner Mountain most of the homes threaten the surrounding forest which is contiguous throughout the community meaning that your neighbor’s house is the biggest “fuel threat” to your house, increasing the need for cooperation and collaboration to protect each other.
Included in this assessment are observations made while visiting Banner Mountain. In the assessment we try to address the ease with which home ignitions can occur under severe wildfire conditions and how, with mostly minor changes, these ignitions might be avoided within the HIZ’s of affected residents. Banner Mountain residents can reduce their risk of complete home destruction during wildfire by taking actions first and foremost within their HIZ. It should be noted that many Banner Mountain residents have already reduced the fuel loading around their homes while still allowing the forest to flourish.
The result of the assessment is that wildfire behavior will be dominated primarily by the residential and forested characteristics of this area. The good news is that by addressing individual and community vulnerabilities, residents of Banner Mountain will be able to substantially reduce their exposure to loss from fire. It is fair to state that relatively small investments of time and effort will produce great rewards in wildfire safety.
FIRE IN BANNER MOUNTAIN
Fire intensity and spread rate depend on the fuel type and condition (live/dead), weather conditions prior to and during ignition, and topography. Generally the following relationships between fire behavior and fuel, weather, and topography hold true.
FIREWISE ASSESSMENT PROCESS
David Jaramillo of Sierra Forest Legacy, using the Firewise Communities/USA principles, conducted the assessment on August 20, 2008. Representatives from Nevada County Consolidated Fire Department, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Banner Mountain HOA accompanied him. On the evening of August 20, 2008 he presented information on the Firewise Communities/USA program as well as wildfire mitigation information to a group of approximately 104 stakeholders.
During the meeting David Jaramillo gave a brief overview of observations made during the Firewise Assessment. He also gave a presentation regarding how homes burn down in the wildland urban interface (WUI). Joanne Drummond, executive director of the Firesafe Council of Nevada County (FSCNC) was able to describe some of the many services that the council has to offer to members of the community (for more information regarding the FSCNC or to become involved please visit www.firesafecouncilnevco.com ).
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
By adopting the Firewise Communities/USA program and continuing with the great work of the community and Fire Safe Council, residents of Banner Mountain can create a balance that will allow them to co-exist safely with wildfire while maintaining the natural setting. After all, we have chosen to reside in these wonderful places because of the environmental quality of the area. It is important for the residents of Banner Mountain to understand the implications of the choices they are making. These choices, such as building material selection, landscaping, and proper maintenance of the home, directly relate to the ignitability of their home during a wildfire event.
Thinning of forest fuels, such as surface and ladder fuels, in the undeveloped and residential areas within the community to help improve forest health and ecological sustainability is recommended. It should be noted that there is a heavy accumulation of surface and ladder fuels within Banner Mountain and that these fuels threaten the healthy and dominant overstory as well as the entire community. Thinning in these areas should focus on the dead, dying, and smaller suppressed trees and shrubs as these are recognized as fuels that have the potential to damage the larger more fire resilient trees. Larger, healthy trees should be left standing, as these are the most fire resilient trees in the community. The reduction of these fuels will help mitigate the fire hazard as well as maintain a healthy ecosystem. It is recommended that a precautionary approached be used when reducing fuel loads.
California black oak and Pacific madrone grow well within Banner Mountain, and are recommended over coniferous species such as white fir as a Firewise choice for landscaping around the home (this being stated, it is not recommended to remove all conifer trees from around the home as these are critical to forest health and aesthetic quality). Deciduous trees such as black oak do not readily burn and can help absorb heat from a wildfire, potentially protecting a structure from the heat of a fire. It is important to note that ALL vegetation will burn given a certain set of conditions, so it is critical to plant and maintain the most fire resistant plants and trees within your home ignition zone. The use of native wildflowers is a great choice for landscaping and help keep the local and natural flavor of the community (see Fire Safe Vegetation on the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council Website).
Even with home ignition zones potentially providing fire protection, a wildfire in or near Banner Mountain will create a significant amount of firebrands (burning embers) which can ignite vegetation and structures. These tiny firebrands may represent the largest threat of fire within a community such as Banner Mountain. If a single home in this community was to ignite by firebrands, it would put dozens of other homes at risk as well, either by direct flame contact or firebrand production. In order to greatly reduce the ignitability of homes in your community, residents should inspect roofs, decks, and the immediate ground surrounding these structures within five feet for fine fuels. Any fuels found in these areas should be removed regularly in order to reduce the potential of a firebrand landing on such fuels and igniting the structure. The goal of removing the fine fuels from within five feet of the structure is to help stop the forward fire movement before it reaches the home.
In the event of an evacuation, the narrow roads and the lack of readable signs within the community can be problematic. Driveway length and width vary greatly within the community and can be problematic for both fire engines and other emergency vehicles such as ambulances. For the most part, driveways in Banner Mountain are short, allowing for easy access to roads both by fire engines and residents. However, there are many homes that do not fit this model and should be properly cleared for access. If an evacuation does occur, residents should leave early so they can avoid problems with roads such as traffic, closures, or becoming overrun by a fire.
OBSERVATIONS AND COMMENTS
FOREST HEALTH
Forest health is a major issue for all Sierra Nevada communities. As populations increase in the mountains so do the pressures of the forest. For the past 100 years or so the practice of fire suppression and other management activities such as high-grade and clear-cut logging have put our forests in a state where they can burn hotter, faster, and longer than historical fires. Banner Mountain resides in an area that was heavily mined as well as logged for useful timber products. Today the forest in Banner Mountain would be described as advanced second and third growth sierra mixed conifer. The trees seem to be in good health although it is apparent that in many areas tree densities are high enough to keep a high intensity crown fire moving. A small amount of tree mortality, primarily white fir, was observed during the assessment. These trees can be identified by their dead tops as well as their reduction in leaf content and/or discoloration. Several trees have completely lost their tops, but still have green vegetation on them. Trees in this condition provide great wildlife habitat, yet also can pose a threat to surrounding structures should they fall. In many areas throughout the mountain small trees have been allowed to become overly crowded, leaving less nutrition for the larger fire resilient trees. These areas should be thinned in order to promote tree growth and reduce fire hazard severity. Thinning in these areas should focus on small suppressed trees, not the larger fire resistant trees.
Typical dense vegetation on Banner Mountain
Dense vegetation along road on Banner Mt. Many roads do not have visible signs and would be very confusing during an evacuation
Because Banner Mountain is interspersed amongst the forest, trees are expected and appreciated around homes, and in some cases grow right next to them. The idea behind fire safety within the HIZ is fuel modification. Trees within the HIZ, especially the first 30’, should be widely spaced so that the canopies do not touch each other. Trees should be limbed (pruned) and ladder fuels removed sufficiently in order to minimize the potential for fire to reach the crown of the tree. Small suppressed trees should be removed if they have the potential to cause the ignition of dominant trees. Results from the 1961 Belair-Brentwood Fire found that 95 percent of the structures survived that maintained 30 to 60 feet of clearance and had non-flammable roofs. In the 1990 Paint Fire, 86 percent of structures survived if they maintained at least 30 feet of clearance and had non-flammable roofs. Results from both of these studies only took into consideration homes with nonflammable roofs because including homes with flammable roofs would skew the results. Remember that when conducting any type of fuel modification around structures it is best to take a precautionary approach. This approach grants residents the peace of mind that they will not go overboard on their first fuel reduction attempt. The Sierra Nevada Conservation Community Wildfire Protection Planning guidebook has a great list of principles and objectives to follow when conducting fuel reduction (visit www.forevergreenforestry.com to learn more about the CCWPP guidebook, attachment 5).
Negative Trends
Wood shake roofs, although only a very small percentage in Banner Mountain, pose a fire threat for the community. Firebrands can easily ignite a wood shake roof, resulting in a total loss in most cases. Results from the 1990 Paint Fire in Santa Barbara, California showed that homes with nonflammable roofs had a 70 percent survivability rate compared with 19 percent for homes with flammable roofs. The 1961 Belair-Brentwood Fire showed similar results. Of the few wood shake roofs that we saw, most were in good shape, although when it is time to replace these roofs they should be replaced with non-flammable material such as composite or metal. All wood shake roofs, failing or not, should be replaced with non-flammable material at some point in order to reduce the likelihood of failure and flammability. Throughout the community many roofs, both wood shake and composite, have an accumulation of flammable material such as pine needles on them. This material is easily ignited by firebrands and can put the entire house at risk, which in turn places the entire community at risk. This material is also easily mitigated for and can greatly reduce the potential for home ignition. Remember that this type of material tends to build up at the most vulnerable parts of your roof (overhangs and other complex areas), so be sure to be aware of these areas when checking your roof for flammable material.
Wood shake roof on Banner Mt. with large amounts of flammable material on top.
Privacy is an issue that is common in most communities, including Banner Mountain. The use of “vegetative screens” was found along roads and between houses throughout the community. Many of these screens are very dense and can easily carry a flame from the ground into the canopy. These screens should be thinned and pruned in order to reduce the risk of ignition and fire spread. Removing the smaller trees in these areas will also promote growth in the larger trees and enhance overall forest health. When vegetative screens are incorporated, the use of more fire resistant trees such as birch, black oak or maple should be used. Another way to mitigate the fire risk associated with the privacy screening residents desire is to break up the horizontal and vertical continuity of the screening areas by placing clumps of vegetation to provide strategic visual barriers.
The use of wood fire to heat homes in Banner Mountain is useful and traditional. After all, it helps create the ambiance that makes living in the mountains so great. One of the negative aspects of using wood to heat homes is that the wood needs to be stored somewhere. We found that some of the wood here is stored under and on decks or directly against homes. Wood piles are highly flammable, hence their use, and burn for extensive periods of time long after the main fire leaves the community. During the fire season wood piles should be removed from decks, beneath decks, and away from structures to a distance of 30 feet in order to minimize the risk of structural ignition due to a wood pile fire. Remember that because wood piles generally have large amounts of fuel, they will burn for a long time, increasing a structure’s exposure to heat. Moving wood piles in this fashion may seem redundant, but it can greatly reduce the fire potential of a home. A benefit of moving wood away from homes is that it can help reduce bug infestation like termites that live in wood and can cause significant structural damage to homes if left in direct contact.
Another way to mitigate the effect of woodpiles near homes is to take steps to keep the woodpiles from igniting similar to steps taken to keep homes from igniting. This can be accomplished by covering wood in a way that keeps firebrands from gaining purchase by covering wood entirely or keeping it in an enclosed area that firebrands cannot penetrate, and maintaining defensible space around it. It should be noted that everything stated above also pertains to the use of wood pellets.
This deck has an accumulation of highly flammable material beneath it.
Where there are decks and doors, there are furniture and mats. Many homes in Banner Mountain have highly flammable outdoor furniture. If this furniture were to ignite it would threaten the entire structure. Furniture cushions are also very flammable and were observed on decks throughout the community. A major recommendation would be to use more fire resistant furniture made from either solid wood or non-flammable material such as metal. If replacing flammable furniture is not feasible, residents should store furniture in a way that firebrands cannot find purchase by covering them completely or storing them indoors in a closet or inside the home. By storing outdoor furniture while not in use you can increase the longevity of the item. This benefit supports the fact that storing it eliminates the risk of ignition. Similarly, furniture cushions and other flammable items (like brooms) should be removed when not in use and placed in an area inside or where they do not pose a risk to the structure should they ignite. By doing this you will also extend the life of the cushion as well. Flammable door mats made of hemp can also threaten the home should they ignite. The use of non-flammable mats, such as heavy rubber mats should be used as an alternative. The practice of removing flammable cushions and other such flammable material when not in use or when you leave the home any time during the fire season should become a habit. By removing these things before you leave you can ensure that they will not pose a threat to the structure in the event that a fire were to occur
Mats such as these are not likely to ignite by firebrands.
Any items adjacent to a house are considered “attached” to the house. This includes decks, fences, and walkways. Metal flashing can be inserted between the house and these types of attachments to help reduce the spread of flames from those structures. We did not see many homes that incorporated this type of material into their construction. It is recommended that flashing be used when possible.
Stairs and decks such as these will direct fire to a structure. It is recommended that metal flashing be incorporated into decks and stairs where they meet the structure in order to reduce and possibly stop the movement of fire to the structure.
SUCCESSFUL FIREWISE MODIFICATIONS IN BANNER MOUNTAIN
We are happy to report that many residents in Banner Mountain have taken appropriate steps in mitigating the fire risk to their homes and neighborhoods. By reducing the ignitability of their home, residents also help reduce the ignitability of surrounding homes and forest. It should be noted that these homes still blend themselves into the natural environment and in many cases actually enhance the beauty of the landscape. By taking these small yet important measures, several residents have helped insure the safety of themselves, the community, and the ecosystem.
Residents of Banner Mountain must focus attention first and foremost on the home ignition zone. Fire potential should be minimized in these areas throughout the community. This can be accomplished by disconnecting the house from the fire that can occur around it. The following trends were reported in Banner Mountain and show great examples of Firewise practices.
Most of the roofs in Banner Mountain were constructed or retrofitted with non-flammable materials such as metal or composition shingles. This greatly reduces the chances of a home igniting by fire brands landing on the roof. Remember that the roof may be the structure’s greatest fire brand ignition source, so by using non-flammable material and maintaining the roof (removing flammable material from the roof and gutters) residents have greatly reduced the chances of a home ignition caused by fire brands landing on the roof.
Although combustible siding is the overall trend, many residents have taken proactive measures to reduce the chances of this material igniting. By using rock on the lower portion of homes as well as around the base of homes, residents ensure that a slow moving ground fire is not likely to ignite the structure.
The use of gravel will help this home have a fire free zone around the structure
The use of Firewise landscaping was also incorporated into several landscapes throughout the valley. By removing or reducing highly flammable vegetation such as manzanita and bear clover, and replacing it with more fire-resistant plants (deciduous trees, wildflowers, etc.) many people have helped to minimize the severity of fire that would move through their home ignition zone. This homeowner has created a fire free zone with irrigated landscaping
This homeowner has incorporated ornamental vegetation such as this Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) into their landscaping. Deciduous vegetation such as this is both attractive and can help shield a home from the heat of a fire
Several other structural considerations were demonstrated throughout the community. Most homeowners screened in vents with metal mesh. This helps eliminate the build up of flammable vegetation and firebrands while allowing the structure to properly breath. The use of double paned windows, which act as a better heat shield than single paned windows, were used extensively. By using this type of window, residents also grant themselves better insulation from the outside elements and benefit from the associated energy savings.
This homeowner moved stored their wood pile at least 30’ from their home
Vents such as these greatly reduce the chances of firebrands entering the house. It is also recommended to incorporate ¼ inch metal mesh screening into openings such as these. Notice the fire free zone that is surrounding this structure. 
NEXT STEPS
Residents of Banner Mountain should take precautions to ensure that high intensity fire remains at least 100 feet away from their homes. They should also work to eliminate low intensity fire from coming into contact with their homes. It is a major recommendation for residents to create a “fire free zone”, allowing no fire to burn within ten feet of the home. By doing this, they will minimize or eliminate low intensity fire from touching their house.
Fire is a natural element in the Sierra Nevada, although unnecessary fires should be avoided. Residents of Banner Mountain have an ecological responsibility to eliminate the fire hazard and severity of their home ignition zones. By focusing their attention on these areas, residents can help minimize the spread and severity of fire on the ridge. If fires were allowed to burn out of control in this area they would likely result in the loss of many homes as well as the standing forest. By minimizing the fire threat and intensity within the home ignition zone, residents can help minimize both the loss of their homes and the surrounding forest which they love. The key aspect of fire mitigation in Banner Mountain is to identify things that will ignite homes and address these things first. Homeowners are encouraged to begin first at the house and then move outward into the home ignition zone. By focusing on the home and its immediate surroundings residents can feel more secure that their community can survive a wildfire.
After reviewing the contents of this assessment and its recommendations, members of the Banner Mountain Fire Safe Council will determine whether or not they wish to continue seeking Firewise Communities/USA recognition. If it is determined to move forward with the program, the Fire Safe Council, or a new committee will create agreed-upon, area-specific solutions to the Firewise recommendations and create an action plan to achieve them. The action plan must incorporate at least three action items. The plan will integrate the following standards:
Remember, YOU get to choose whether or not your home has a chance at surviving a wildfire. Even with the advent of new firefighting equipment, it is very likely that there will not be firefighting efforts taking place at your home during a wildfire. It is up to you, NOT firefighting agencies, to ensure the survivability of your home and community. You do not have to be a victim, as the media would have you believe. Rather, you can take measures to protect your home and community BEFORE the fire comes. Due to the fact that most homes in Banner Mountain share ignition zones it is imperative that you work as a community to mitigate for fire. Remember, by taking small, yet necessary measures you can help protect your home and community. A prepared community is a healthy community. Good luck and be Firewise!
KEEP UP THE GREAT AND INSPIRING WORK BANNER MOUNTAIN
Attachment 1
Attachment 2
Attachment 3 (This map identifies that this is a wildfire environment that has been heavily altered by fire suppression, logging, and habitation)
Attachment 4
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The Banner Mountain HOA was developed in early March of 1984 by Betty Simpson (with her late husband Joe) and Bob Szabo with the purpose of organizing the neighbors on Banner Mountain to prevent the reopening of the Banner and the Lava Cap Mines by Franco-Nevada, Inc, a Canadian corporation. Some of the many activities and projects that were created, maintained, or supported by the Banner Mountain HOA since it’s beginning in 1984 include: promoting activities which help provide for optimum living conditions in the area and to discourage activities which threaten to affect the area adversely, keeping members informed of current issues such as mining, fire, water, traffic, emergency services, etc. which might affect the Banner Mountain area. More information regarding the Banner Mountain HOA can be found at 
Flammable siding, such as wood paneling is very common in Banner Mountain, and helps it keep its woodsy flavor. This type of siding, although attractive does pose a threat to residents if not properly mitigated for. Wood tends to stand up fairly well to heat, although it is easily ignited when flames come in direct contact with it. Many structures had highly flammable vegetation directly in contact with wood siding. In the event that this flammable material was to ignite it would slowly move to the structure and ignite it, and result in a potential 100% loss. In order to mitigate for this type of siding when replacement is not a short-term option, residents should remove dead vegetation within a minimum of five feet from the house. Annuals and perennials should be irrigated if they are located within this area. 
Wood siding that comes into contact with the ground has the potential for ignitability and can also cause damage, such as dry rot, to the structure itself. Overall, removal of flammable material from fire prone siding will greatly reduce the chances of the siding igniting. New home construction and renovation within Banner Mountain should encourage the use of fire resistant siding such as stucco and stone, or at least incorporate this type of material on the lower portion of the siding. Material such as hardy plank, a fiber-cement composite material that replicates the shingle appearance that Banner Mountain resident’s value can be incorporated into structures in order to reduce the risk of ignition. 
Decks help residents here enjoy the outdoors, although they pose a fire threat to the home when not maintained. Remember, “If it’s attached to the house, its part of the house.” Many of the decks in this community have accumulations of flammable material both on and beneath them. If this material was ignited by a firebrand it would easily ignite the deck and then the home. Decks should be kept free of flammable material, both above and below in order to reduce the threat of a firebrand ignition. Where feasible, decks should be screened with 1/8 inch metal mesh screening in order to reduce the amount of firebrand impingement and flammable material build-up. Stairs can also be screened in the same manner. Even if screened, flammable material will still accumulate beneath decks and stairs so you need to maintain an access point to allow for removal of any such material. In the event that a deck is to be replaced, the use of less ignitable material, such as Trex is recommended. It should be noted that material such as Trex is highly flammable, although it is harder to ignite than traditional wood products. When replacing a deck it is also recommended to place a piece of metal flashing between the deck and the home. This piece of flashing may stop a small fire from spreading from the deck to the home. 
