Amount of clearing for effective fire break

[bdog]

We recently purchased a rural property that we do not live on and is about 1 hour away from us. Currently we have a shipping container out there but will also be building a cabin of some sort in the near future.

This are is in West Texas and somewhat typical pasture. No huge trees very little is over 10' tall but it is fairly thick brush in places and lots of dry grass this time of the year.

I am worried about fires and how to best protect our container which stores some equipment and our soon to be cabin. I plan to clear the brush around these things and keep it mowed down very short. My question is how much area do I need around things for this to be effective? Is 100' adequate or do I need more? I guess there is somewhat of a balancing act between having an adequate fire break and making your place look like it is in the middle of a parking lot.

 

[dmccarty]

Might try calling the Texas forestry department, or looking on their website, to see what they say.

Later,
Dan

 

[user.69169]

Texas A&M bein agricultural school got web site dealin wid fire protection.
Wildfires and Disasters | Texas Wildfire Protection Plan (TWPP)

Texas got all kinds of plans fer wildfires. Looks like dey even smart enough to let landowners clear dead vegetation unlike Califoolish.

 

[oosik]

Seven years ago we had a wildfire coming at us from the west. We went up on a local small hill and watched. The wildfire was wind driven. It became very clear - my 50 foot wide cleared fire break would not stop this wildfire. The wind was picking up burning clumps and projecting them up to a quarter mile ahead of the burning front. Fortunately - the wind changed direction and the wildfire burned out up against the county road.

I went home and made darn good and sure - my insurance covers losses due to wildfires ........

 

[user.69169]

Whole bunch things can be done to save place from wildfire, pretty much every one cost money.
NOBODY gonna spend any money to protect der goodies, when dey got Insurance.
Barrel of Barriccade Gel sitting in garage better investment if you live on property.
Roof sprinklers too if you got water.

 

[cqaigy2]

Whole bunch things can be done to save place from wildfire, pretty much every one cost money.
NOBODY gonna spend any money to protect der goodies, when dey got Insurance.
Barrel of Barriccade Gel sitting in garage better investment if you live on property.
Roof sprinklers too if you got water.

Have you had the chance to use the Bariccade Gel?

 

[user.69169]

Have you had the chance to use the Bariccade Gel?

Seen it used very effectively. Didn't use it myself.

Pretty sure patent expired & der competing products now.

 

[the viking]

I put on roof sprinklers in the spring and take them down in the fall due to freezing concerns. 100 feet of defensible space is the national norm here and most of the country. Limb all trees to 10' but I go 20' above ground and no dead materials on the ground or standing. I planted fire resistant plants which are listed on the state fire marshal's website. I have a hydrant system with 75#s of continuous pressure from a gravity flow system off my creek. I live far from a fire station or public hydrants so being prepared is crucial. Design your home using the guidelines as far as construction materials from the international wildland urban interface code and your locally adopted building codes if your jurisdiction has adopted them. You never have enough preparation for a catastrophic fire situation but I try. Good luck.

 

[TractorGuy]

Depends on the wind.

Years ago we had a neighbor that got the forestry dept to cut a fire break around their property. Then the idiots gave them a permit on a day we had 25 mph wind. Fire jumped right over the break and headed for my house. Thank goodness the fire department and forestry service got here and put it out before it got to my house.

They were not fined because they HAD the permit. I have done some permitted burns and you can't get the actual permit until just before you light. Not sure WHAT the forestry service was thinking that day.

 

[the viking]

Depends on the wind.

Years ago we had a neighbor that got the forestry dept to cut a fire break around their property. Then the idiots gave them a permit on a day we had 25 mph wind. Fire jumped right over the break and headed for my house. Thank goodness the fire department and forestry service got here and put it out before it got to my house.

They were not fined because they HAD the permit. I have done some permitted burns and you can't get the actual permit until just before you light. Not sure WHAT the forestry service was thinking that day.

^^^^^^^^^ They weren't thinking!

Just printed my burn permit on line good until next year . You call or go online to see if it is a burn day and then burn if it deemed to be a burn day. You are responsible to watch the fire and make sure it does not get out of control. If you are too stupid and a fire gets out of control then you are criminally and financially responsible for damages. Imagine that repercussions for being a moron!