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Image of someone weed whacking.
Weed whacking your property isn't always fun, but it's one of the best ways to prepare your home for fire season. Read on for some more great tips!

Prep for Fire Season With Defensible Spaces Around the Home

MOUNTAIN COMMNUNITIESYosemite National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior want you to prepare for what is very likely to be a long and dry summer. There are many steps you can take NOW to prepare your home for the upcoming fire season.

Image of the Department of the Interior logo. Consider the following ways you can protect you and your family this summer, such as creating defensible space and hardening your home.

Step 1: Get Ready!

Zone 1 (within 30’ from your home)

  • Remove all dead vegetation.
  • Trim tree branches to a minimum of 6 feet.
  • Relocate wood piles into Zone 2 (30 feet or more from your home).
  • Remove debris and flammable items from under and around structures.
  • Create a separation between trees, shrubs, and flammable items.

Zone 2 (from 30’ to 100’ from your home)

  • Cut or mow annual vegetation to a maximum height of 4 inches.
  • Ensure minimum spacing of 20 feet between shrubs and trees.
  • Limb trees and shrubs to create vertical spacing.
  • Remove ground debris.

NPS Inspections will continue this spring, Questions? Please e-mail yose_fire_prevention@nps.gov.

Step 2: Get Set!

  • Assemble an emergency supply kit, get ideas at readyforwildfire.org.
  • Prepare your home and family for the possibility of having to evacuate.
  • Create a wildfire action plan and evacuation checklist.
  • Fill out a family communication plan.

Step 3: Go!

  • When an Evacuation Order is issued or anytime you feel unsafe – Go!
  • Follow instructions given by emergency personnel.
  • Put your emergency supply kit in your vehicle.
  • Locate your pets and take them with you.
Image of a man trimming tree branches.

Image by nightowl.

Other Important Safety Tips

Prepare Yourself Before You Leave for the Day

  • Keep medications, passports, identification, and important travel paperwork with you, in case you are delayed getting back to your accommodations.
  • Keep your phone and phone charger with you.
  • Have a park map handy as you drive through so you can plan alternate routes around delays.
  • Decide on a person to be the point of contact for family members. This should be someone outside of the area.
  • If there is a current advisory, prepare your pets and belongings in case an evacuation order is given.

Advisory Message Vs. Evacuation Order

  • An advisory message is a notice of danger in the future. This is not an evacuation order but you should get ready if an order is given. You should always evacuate if you feel unsafe.
  • An evacuation order is a notification of immediate danger and requires
    immediate evacuation. Pick up your things and leave now.

Other Helpful Information

  • Yosemite General Information: 209-372-0200
  • Yosemite Road Conditions: 209-372-0200, press 1, press 1
  • Yosemite National Park Website: www.nps.gov/yose

Sign Up for All Emergency Notification Systems

Visit go.nps.gov/alert to sign up for emergency alert systems in the Yosemite area.

Emergencies May Arise at Any Time – Be Prepared!

Working and living in Yosemite may result in evacuation due to fire, flood,
winter storms, or any other hazardous situation. For more information, please contact YOSE_Fire_Info@nps.gov or visit www.readyforwildfire.org.

Image of a wildfire.

Wildfires are nothing to mess around with. Prepare your home and your family today!

 

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