Banner Mountain Homeowners Association (BMHA) Est. 1984 
Fire Safety
Firewise Community on Banner Mountain
After 3 years of hard work, Banner Mountain has been awarded the Firewise Community designation. This is a national program which is run locally by the Sierra Forest Legacy. You can go to their site via this link.
Some Banner Mountain residents have taken the fire threat seriously. Here and there one can see the results of recent vegetation management activities. But there is still much more to be done to protect homes and properties from the threat of serious forest fire. The challenge is daunting considering the number of homes, how dangerously they are built and the density of vegetation here on Banner Mountain. Some even have wooden roofs. It is not likely that all the needed work can be accomplished in one or even two or three years. But as the ancient Chinese proverb states, "A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step."
We began the Firewise Community process in August 2008 with a community assessment of fire hazards by a professional forester, David Jaramillo, from the Sierra Forest Legacy along with members of CALFire and NCCFD. Sierra Forest Legacy recognizes the equal importance of vegetation management to create defensible space and the critical steps to improve the fire resistance of homes such as class A roofs, care of flammable items on and under decks, and screening vents. One of our members, Chuck Staetz, took notes during the assessment walkabout. We have posted his notes for you here.
BMHA sponsored a community gathering on the evening of August 20, 2008 to kick off the firewise community program for Banner Mountain. At the meeting David shared his assessment and suggestions on how to reduce serious fire hazards. The meeting provided education to those attending on methods of increasing the fire resistance of the home, achieving good defensible space, and learning about other fire agencies in our community. Read David Jaramillo's entire Banner Mountain Firewise Assessment here on our web site. If you would like to download a PDF of the report from our web site, click here.
Our 2nd Firewise Community Meeting was held at Pioneer Park on May 30, 2009.
We hosted Steve Quarles of the College of Natural Resources at UC Berkeley. Steve Quarles is a wood performance and durability Cooperative Extension advisor and Director of CFRO's Building in Fire-Prone Areas Program. Areas of expertise include performance and durability of wood and wood-based products subjected to wildfire and moisture exposures and physical properties of wood. Extensive information on performance of various materials in wildfires can be found on his website.
| Deck Comparison | Siding Comparison |
The far left deck is redwood. The center deck is Trex "fire resistent". The far right deck is standard Trex. This was a very surprising result. Fence to Structure 
Several shreds of "debris" were placed in and along a fence and a firebrand was lit near at the bottom of the fence. However, at the end of the burn the fire did not jump to the siding, which was expected. We would not recommend counting on this at your own house. |
 Here you see a comparison of wood siding vs. Hardie plank (or equivalent). The firebrand was placed at the bottom of the siding for both types of siding. You can see how much incursion occurs in the wood siding example. |
With these meetings as a start, we intend to schedule annual follow up assessments combined with Firewise Community meetings and recommended fire hazard reduction activities. If we are diligent, our combined efforts can achieve a meaningful reduction in the severity of our community's fire hazard rating. The ultimate goal is to have Banner Mountain recognized as a Firewise Community.
Stay tuned for future announcements on the Firewise Community program. David Jaramillo also writes periodic articles entitled Seasonal Firewise Practices. They describe simple steps to reduce the fire hazard around your home. See Tips from Dave the Forester at the Sierra Forest Legacy website.
There are lots of other places that you can go via the web to learn more about these issues. In the next section we have provided key web links to fire safety resources, plus links to documents on this web site for you to review.
Our best local resource to contact for more information is the Fire Safe Council at:
154 Hughes Rd, Suite 5, Grass Valley, CA
phone: 530-272-1122,
email: fscnc@sbcglobal.net
Visit their website (www.firesafecouncilnevco.com)
Fire Safety Web Links and Resources
| Watch this YouTube Video on the Firewise Community Program developed by Sierra Forest Legacy. |
Sierra Forest Legacy web site. Details on the Firewise Community program and lots of information on making your home and community more fire safe. Source for Barricade fire blocking gel and more. NOTE: This is a commercial web site providing Fire Safety information and a source for home fire fighting equipment including Barricade gel. This company is located in Placerville. PDF Brochure "Homeowner's Guide to Wildfire Retrofit" Brochure provided by Firewise Communities. Also includes checklists for what to do in the event of a wildfire. PDF Brochure "Seasonal Firewise Practices" Brochure provided by David Jaramillo of Sierra Forest Legacy and Firewise Communities.
General Guidelines for Creating Defensible Space.
This document outlines guidelines which vary somewhat depending upon topology and vegetative types. It also clearly dispels the mistaken idea that state law PCR 4291 requires moonscaping or clearance to bare earth. For example it says "In all cases, fuel reduction means arranging the tree, shrubs and other fuels sources in such a way that makes it difficult for fire to transfer from one fuel source to another. It does not mean cutting down all trees and shrubs, or creating a bare ring of earth across the property.
|
Notes from Firewise Assessment Banner Mountain Aug 20, 2008
On Wednesday, August 20, 2008 a preliminary Firewise inspection of Banner Mountain was made by David Jaramillo (Fire Protection Coordinator/Sierra Forest Legacy). He was accompanied by several members of the Home Owners' Association and Terry McMahan (Fire Prevention Officer/Nevada County Consolidated Fire District), Dave Stonum (Battalion Chief for Nevada County/CAL FIRE - morning only) and Matthew Reischman (CAL FIRE - morning only). The areas inspected included roadways, several homes and neighborhoods on Banner Mountain. In addition to the inspection various aspects of fire prevention and forest preservation were discussed.
Results
Background
. It was pointed out that the Banner Mountain area is well protected and there is quick response to fires. Most fires here are "creeping ground fires" and tend to occur in the same areas repeatedly. Although there has not been a fire here for a long time, that does not mean there won't be a fire in the future. As a result of the lack of a major fire on Banner Mountain, the forest is heavily overgrown and does not represent a healthy "natural" forest. There are too many small trees growing too close together as well as a substantial amount of small bushes, grass and other organic material. Consequently, there is a high potential for a large hot fire occurring on Banner Mountain if preventative steps are not implemented now.
. The core of the Defensible Space Program is the removal of accumulated fuel in the forest that previously was removed by periodic fires. The program is designed to keep fires from moving from homes to the forest and from the forest to homes.
. The specifics of the program will vary from situation to situation but it is not intended that a "moonscape" be created around every home. It is designed to remove fuel sources from the immediate vicinity of homes and permit the defense of homes when a fire may occur. While there is much emphasis on the removal of trees, brush, etc. in the program, there is also a need to ensure that homes are as fire safe as possible.
. It was also pointed out that the removal of small trees, brush, etc. will also promote the growth of large healthy trees and is a part of good forestry management. When trees are permitted to grow too close to each other the trees compete for water, nutrients and light. As a result, few trees will become large. Also, the stress placed on the trees makes them vulnerable to disease, insects and drought.
. It is possible to implement the Defensible Space Program and still provide small habitat areas for birds and other animals.
Observations
. In many areas small trees and other vegetation have encroached on the roads. This vegetation presents a fire hazard and may prevent the use of the road in an evacuation.
. It is obvious that many homeowners are attempting to create a defensible space around their homes but there are many areas where there the trees are overcrowded and it would be easy for a fire to "ladder" from the ground to small tress and then to the larger trees. This situation could result in the development of a crown fire which is the greatest threat to Banner Mountain. If a fire reaches the tops of the trees and there is a strong wind a crown fire will move very quickly. How far and fast the fire will move depends on a number of factors which include fuel at the ground level, the density of the trees, ground slope, etc. Removal of the ground fuel will significantly reduce the potential of a crown fire.
. There were a number of instances where firewood, propane tanks, lumber and other fuel sources were observed on or under decks. These situations are a significant fire hazard.
. At least one old shake shingle roof was observed. This presents a very high fire risk.
. Most preparation here is for ground fires. A wind driven crown fire won't be easily stopped. The best defence against a fire here is a community wide effort to remove all excess fuel from around houses and other structures. Pine needles are not that much of a problem if the trees are properly limbed and the needles are kept away from direct contact with the house. Some pine needles on the ground will help prevent erosion and slow the evaporation of moisture from the soil.
. In a number of instances home owners had done an excellent job creating defensible space but their greatest fire damage potential was the neighboring house.
Recommendations
. Remove as much potential fire fuel from around structures as indicated in the Defensible Space Guidelines. Again, this does not require the creation of a "moonscape."
- Small irrigated ornamentals do not pose a problem. Umbrellas and deck cushions should be stored when they are not going to be used for an extended time because they may catch fire from fire brands and then ignite the deck. Wood deck furniture is not likely to pose a serious threat.- Sky lights should be glass because plastic sky lights provide a possible entry point of fire brands through the roof.
- Rafters under overhanging roofs should be boxed to prevent fire brands from collecting and to prevent heated air from being trapped under the roof.
- Gutters should also be covered to prevent them from becoming clogged with pine needles, leaves, etc. which may provide fuel for firebrands and thus set the roof on fire.
- Roofs should be kept clear of pine needles, leaves, etc.
- The space on or under decks should be kept clear of leaves, pine needles, etc. and should not serve as storage areas for extra lumber, firewood, propane tanks, or other flammable objects. It is good if the space under the deck is screened (1/8 inch mesh). This will prevent debris from blowing in as well as keeping fire brands out.
- Wooden barrels or other flammable containers may collect embers and act as fuel source.
. All road and house number signs should be posted in a conspicuous place to make it easy for emergency vehicles to find the roads and homes when needed. It will also make It much easier for visitors and people unfamiliar with the area to find the main road out in case of an emergency.
. Once the evacuation plan is published, evacuation routes and directions to them should be well posted. This will be critical in the case of a fire when visibility is poor and everyone is under a great deal of stress. Confusion on the roads during evacuations slows the process and can prevent fire equipment from getting to the fire.
Final thought: There is a great deal to be done for Banner Mountain to become a Firewise community and it can only be accomplished if there is community wide cooperation. People live on Banner Mountain because they enjoy the forest setting. This environment can only be maintained if everyone cooperates to reduce the fire potential. It is entirely possible to accomplish this task and still maintain the surrounding forest.
Fire Safety Action Steps - Easy Ways to Protect Your Property
If your property is typical, you have pine needles, leaves, twigs and branches on your roof and near your buildings. Now is the time to:
1. Remove flammable debris from your roof and the gutters. Check your vents to ensure they are covered with at least a ¼ inch metal mesh to prevent a firebrand entering your home.These steps are based on work by David Jaramillo, (email: david@sierraforestlegacy.org ) Registered Professional Forester.
2. Mow lawns, and be sure to mow early enough in the day when there is still condensation on the grass. Use caution with power tools that produce sparks!
3. Clear fallen material such as fallen pine needles, at least 5 feet surrounding your home, deck (under deck as well), barn, or any other building.
4. Check for winter storm effects such as broken branches, leaves, and dead limbs and remove them. Prune some of the newer growth.
5. Screen vents and lattices around decks and fences.
6. Remove flammable material from exterior window seals and other areas built up over the winter; this includes decks, fences and the base of the building. Check inconspicuous locations where flammable material could be ignited by firebrands.
7. Remove chair pads and other flammable furniture from near your house when not in use. This material can catch fire from sparks and firebrands. Store these items inside (pads and cushions will last longer!).
8. When updating your landscape, use Firewise plant choices next to your home. Plants should be fire resistant and well irrigated.
9. Visit the Firewise Communities website.
For technically savvy homeowners, see high quality information on protecting your structures and FIRE PERFORMANCE TESTING material such as decking at http://nature.berkeley.edu/forestry/structures/ .
"There are many possible ignition sources for exterior fire exposures in an Urban-Wildland Interface fire. There are often plants adjacent to the structure, and sometimes stacks of firewood or other combustible materials. These materials can be ignited by flying embers (firebrands). On patios and decks one finds plastic or wood furniture that can also ignite from firebrands produced by the fire. All of these items can be considered ignition sources to expose the building or the deck to a substantial flame source for some period of time."
Click to go to top of page