Minnesota DNR Encourages Rural Homeowners to be ‘Firewise’

By Vanessa Torres

Minnesota -(Ammoland.com)- The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is encouraging rural homeowners to become “Firewise” to reduce the risks of wildfires to their homes.

“Now is an excellent time to evaluate and take home wildfire prevention steps while homeowners are clearing woodlots, cutting firewood or removing downed or dying trees from around their homes,” said Linda Gormanson, DNR wildfire prevention supervisor.

As more homes are built in the woods and fields of Minnesota, existing firefighting resources are less able to protect everyone’s property while trying to control a wildfire.

The DNR’s Firewise program identifies four factors homeowners can control that affect whether a home will survive a wildfire: access, site, structure and burning practices.

Access
Access affects how easily firefighters and emergency vehicles can find and access a home. Without a good access and escape routes, firefighters will not endanger themselves to save a home.

The address must be clearly visible from the road to ensure firefighters can find the home. Homes with driveways less than 150 feet long can be accessed from the street. They should be at least 12 feet wide …read more

Source:: AmmoLand