CasaSugar

How-To: Stay Safe During a Wildfire

CasaSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:00:24 -0700

Since the breakout of the August wildfires north of Los Angeles, at least 53 buildings have been destroyed, and 4,300 people have been evacuated. As of this writing, more than 12,000 homes are under threat.

While some families have been reluctant to leave their homes, in the end, your home is just a house. It's the nonmaterial things you fill it with - namely your family, pets, and memories - that make it truly a home. This is why I urge readers to listen to firefighters' warnings, and to leave their homes if a mandatory evacuation is issued. Your life is much more important than any piece of property, no matter how much you love it.

Want to know how to protect your family and your home from a wildfire? Check out these smart pointers from the City of Napa, CA's fire safety page:

Maintain a "defensible" space around your home by clearing all flammable vegetation a minimum of 30 feet around all structures.
Clear dead leaves and branches to leave widely spaced ornamental shrubbery and trees.
Clean all needles and leaves from the roof, eaves, rain gutters, and yard.
Trim tree limbs within 10 feet of your chimney and trim all dead limbs hanging over your house or garage.
Cover your chimney outlet or flue with a spark arresting half-inch mesh screen.

To see the rest of the tips, read more.

Make sure your address is clearly visible for easy identification in an emergency.
Check to see if a fire hydrant is located near your home. If not, you should have a water storage supply of at least 2,500 gallons for use in an emergency situation.
Stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from buildings, fences, and other combustible materials.
Clear all vegetation and other flammable materials from beneath your deck. Enclose undersides of elevated decks with fire-resistive materials.
Remove "ladder fuels." They link the grasses and the tree tops.
Create "fuel breaks" - these can be driveways, gravel walkways, or well-maintained lawns.
Maintain your irrigation system regularly.
Prune tree limbs so the lowest is between 6-10 feet from the ground.
Dispose of cuttings and debris promptly, according to local regulations.
Keep at least two means of escape (either a door or window) in each room.
Mark your driveway and access roads clearly.
Keep ample turnaround space near your house for fire equipment.
Prevent sparks from entering your house by covering vents with wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch.
When possible, use construction materials that are fire resistant or noncombustible.

Are You Afraid of Wildfires?

CasaSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:00:56 -0700

Today marks the three-month anniversary of "Black Saturday." On Feb. 7, as many as 400 fires were recorded in Victoria, Australia, and resulted in 173 confirmed deaths and over 2,000 destroyed homes. With fires burning again in Santa Barbara, CA, I know that my fears of wildfires are growing.

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Have You Ever Been in a Wildfire?

CasaSugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:00:25 -0700

In Southern California, homeowners have been in close proximity to wildfires, which have been made even more dangerous by gusting Santa Ana Winds. Even closer to my home, a Napa Valley area fire has threatened homes and wineries. I have, luckily, never been in or close to a wildfire. Have you?

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Casa Link: Some Good From the Bad

CasaSugar — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 13:08:11 -0800

The Los Angeles Times has an article about a small but lovely solace from devastating wildfires. The high heat of the fire and the nitrous oxide in the smoke can help to germinate long-dormant native flower seeds, resulting in some gorgeous blooms along a fire-scarred landscape. Read the article to get the whole story.

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How-To: Protect Your Family and Home From a Wildfire

CasaSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 05:30:12 -0700

As most of you probably know, California has been ravaged by fires this Summer. As I write this, one of my friends awaits evacuation notice at her Southern California home, and several others are keeping a close watch on fire patterns in their area. Fire scares me - it is erratic and unpredictable and frighteningly fast. And while I can understand why some homeowners are reluctant to leave their homes, in the end, your home is just a house. It's the nonmaterial things you fill it with - namely your family, pets, and memories - that make it truly a home. This is why I urge readers to listen to firefighters' warnings, and to leave their homes if a mandatory evacuation is issued. Your life is much more important than any piece of property, no matter how much you love it.

Here are some smart pointers from the City of Napa, California's fire safety page:

Maintain a "defensible" space around your home by clearing all flammable vegetation a minimum of 30 feet around all structures.
Clear dead leaves and branches to leave widely spaced ornamental shrubbery and trees.
Clean all needles and leaves from the roof, eaves, rain gutters, and yard.
Trim tree limbs within 10 feet of your chimney and trim all dead limbs hanging over your house or garage.
Cover your chimney outlet or flue with a spark arresting half-inch mesh screen.

To see the rest of the tips, read more.

Make sure your address is clearly visible for easy identification in an emergency.
Check to see if a fire hydrant is located near your home. If not, you should have a water storage supply of at least 2,500 gallons for use in an emergency situation.
Stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from buildings, fences, and other combustible materials.
Clear all vegetation and other flammable materials from beneath your deck. Enclose undersides of elevated decks with fire-resistive materials.
Remove "ladder fuels." They link the grasses and the tree tops.
Create "fuel breaks - these can be driveways, gravel walkways, or well-maintained lawns.
Maintain your irrigation system regularly.
Prune tree limbs so the lowest is between 6-10 feet from the ground.
Dispose of cuttings and debris promptly, according to local regulations.
Keep at least two means of escape (either a door or window) in each room.
Mark your driveway and access roads clearly.
Keep ample turnaround space near your house for fire equipment.
Prevent sparks from entering your house by covering vents with wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch.
When possible, use construction materials that are fire resistant or noncombustible.

Source

Coveted Crib: Montecito Residence

CasaSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 10:00:58 -0700

The American Institute of Architects recently recognized this Montecito, CA, home's functional, graceful design when it named it one of 17 winners of its annual Housing Awards Program. Montecito Residence is a single-family home set in the dry, wildfire-prone Toro Canyon. Designed by Seattle-based firm Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects, the Montecito Residence won in the One/Two Family Custom Housing category.

The home's minimalist look is both practical and elegant. Given the fire danger in the area, simple, fire-resistant materials such as steel and concrete reduce the risk of the structure being lost to a wildfire. The architectural firm utilized a raised roof that shields the house from the area's brutal sun. This umbrella-like roof also creates a central hallway that catches off-shore breezes, helping to naturally cool the house.

The minimalism continues on the interior as well, which helps to keep focus on the exterior landscape, and provides open interior spaces for relaxing (as well as for romps for the owner's three dogs). I'm impressed how practical materials, such as steel and glass, showcase the beauty of common-sense architecture and design.

For more photos of this stunning residence, read more.

View 8 Photos ›

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Does Your Household Have an Emergency Plan?

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:00:25 -0700

It occurred to me today, while I was listening to the 9/11 coverage on NPR, that my household really has no solid plan in case of an emergency. While earthquakes and wildfires are probably the two biggest dangers we face in our neighborhood, my husband and I haven't figured out an emergency plan, and that's definitely a mistake. Whether you're concerned about natural disasters, a burglary, or an international incident, it's important to have a plan and an emergency kit prepared.

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