FIREWISE and Six Ponds
Update 2/2024:
Six Ponds has been participating in the national education program and encourage you to help our neighborhood achieve Firewise recognition. On Clark Road a sign designates our neighborhood as being a Firewise Community, thanks to our efforts to keep our neighbors aware of the risks of wildfire. Six Ponds has hosted Alex Belote - the Fire Program Coordinator for the Mass Dept of Conservation and Recreation - at our neighborhood potluck dinners, as well as holding "work parties" for two residents to-date to minimize excessive vegetation and flammable debris on their property.
What are the primary threats to homes during a wildfire?
Research around home destruction vs. home survival in wildfires point to embers and small flames as the main way that the majority of homes ignite in wildfires. Embers are burning pieces of airborne wood and/or vegetation that can be carried more than a mile through the wind can cause spot fires and ignite homes, debris and other objects.
There are methods for homeowners to prepare their homes to withstand ember attacks and minimize the likelihood of flames or surface fire touching the home or any attachments. Experiments, models and post-fire studies have shown homes ignite due to the condition of the home and everything around it, up to 200’ from the foundation.
Six Ponds has been participating in the national education program and encourage you to help our neighborhood achieve Firewise recognition. On Clark Road a sign designates our neighborhood as being a Firewise Community, thanks to our efforts to keep our neighbors aware of the risks of wildfire. Six Ponds has hosted Alex Belote - the Fire Program Coordinator for the Mass Dept of Conservation and Recreation - at our neighborhood potluck dinners, coordinating property site inspections, as well as holding "work parties" for two residents to-date to minimize excessive vegetation and flammable debris on their property.
Here are some additional videos that tell more about wildfire risks we all live with in our wooded community:
(23 Minutes) Alex Belote's presentation about the Firewise process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeOQY4KHLkg
(6 Minutes) How Do Homes Burn in a Wildfire?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QthynXympI&t=2s
(1 Hour) Firewise Virtual Workshop: Get to Know the Home Ignition Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b9gaHHhI9M
(12 Minutes) Protect Your Deck from Wildfire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1Z0449uFD4
(18 Minutes) Understanding Wildfire Behavior with Mark Brown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cez4AX_Gjs
An additional threat has been posed by the death of trees in our region due to the Southern Pine Beetle in our region, as well as Beech Leaf disease.
<Previous post> The Six Ponds Improvement Association has been recognized by the national organization, NFPA, for our efforts to educate our community on the risks of wildfire and how to better prepare our homes in the case of a wildfire. Whether we recognize that fire is an inherent part of our coastal pine barren ecosystem, it is important to be aware and alert of the dangers of potential wildfire. Remember, there are no fire hydrants in our community!
Here are some informational links and videos you may find useful.
NFPA, “Understanding the Wildfire Threat to Homes”:
https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA
Fire Safe Marin, “What is Defensible Space? Get to know your Zero Zone”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPlLXb_MHuo
NFPA, “How Do Homes Burn in a Wildfire?”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QthynXympI&t=287s
NFPA, “Your Home Can Survive a Wildfire”:
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