captstanm1
05-01-2005, 04:50 PM
Wildfires a threat to house and home
April 14, 2005
The wet, cold and rainy weather has dampened the forest and fields and has reduced the possibility of forest wildfires. However, in the spring water is taken up quickly by wind, rain and vegetation, and the bright sun of springtime quickly dries the landscape. The late spring and early summer sets the stage for thunderstorms throughout the Southland, and brings lightning, the incendiary super starter of woods fires. Today's trend for building homes in stands of pines trees is fraught with danger, unless the clearing precludes the fire jumping to the house.
Like many other things in life, fire is both essential and dangerous. On a cold day, fire in the hearth is cozy and comforting, and we may be entranced by the figures we see dancing in the flames. Aside from the "feel good" aspects, controlled fire makes possible the tangible products we use in everyday life. It is cleansing and purifying, available and portable. It is also dangerous, wreaking havoc wherever it gets out of control. We like fire, but we must be ever vigilant in its control, lest it damages or destroys our property, or threatens our life.
Because of the incendiary nature of pinewoods, the mind-set of arsonists and the frequency of lightning strikes, home fires are an ever-present danger for those built in stands of timber. Without a doubt, pine trees provide an attractive setting for a home, and utilizing the trees in the landscape is right and proper, but care must be taken to reduce the danger inherent in pine trees too near the house.
Up until the middle of the 20th century, wildfires were not a problem in Florida, and homes rarely burned as result of woods fires. Florida's statewide open range allowed livestock owners to "run" cattle anywhere, regardless of land ownership. Many cattle owners burned the woods in the late winter in order for grass to come up, providing forage of the livestock, which was also good for propagating pines, but destructive to wildlife. Prior to the passage of fencing laws in 1949 under Gov. Fuller Warren, there were no deer or turkeys in Union and Bradford counties, because there was no natural habitat, that is no underbrush, because of the annual burning.
Farm houses were built in clearings for several reasons, but the danger of fire was always present in their minds, since the wooden shingle roofs were susceptible to catching fire from chimney sparks, as well as woods fires. As cities and towns began to push outward, more people began building in wooded areas, sometimes without proper respect for wildfire, creating the need for care and caution in locating a home, or creating a firebreak between the home and growing trees.
The Florida Division of Forestry addresses the issue of safeguarding a home in rural areas in a publication, "Wildfire Hazard Assessment Guide for Florida Homeowners." Forestry stations throughout the state can provide the magazine and other materials relative to fire safety, and provide speakers for civic and other clubs.
Losing homes to forest fires isn't confined to the western United States. In the past ten years we have lost hundreds of homes in Florida to wildfires, many along the east coast, not too far from Starke.
By Buster Rahn,
Telegraph Editorial Writer
April 14, 2005
The wet, cold and rainy weather has dampened the forest and fields and has reduced the possibility of forest wildfires. However, in the spring water is taken up quickly by wind, rain and vegetation, and the bright sun of springtime quickly dries the landscape. The late spring and early summer sets the stage for thunderstorms throughout the Southland, and brings lightning, the incendiary super starter of woods fires. Today's trend for building homes in stands of pines trees is fraught with danger, unless the clearing precludes the fire jumping to the house.
Like many other things in life, fire is both essential and dangerous. On a cold day, fire in the hearth is cozy and comforting, and we may be entranced by the figures we see dancing in the flames. Aside from the "feel good" aspects, controlled fire makes possible the tangible products we use in everyday life. It is cleansing and purifying, available and portable. It is also dangerous, wreaking havoc wherever it gets out of control. We like fire, but we must be ever vigilant in its control, lest it damages or destroys our property, or threatens our life.
Because of the incendiary nature of pinewoods, the mind-set of arsonists and the frequency of lightning strikes, home fires are an ever-present danger for those built in stands of timber. Without a doubt, pine trees provide an attractive setting for a home, and utilizing the trees in the landscape is right and proper, but care must be taken to reduce the danger inherent in pine trees too near the house.
Up until the middle of the 20th century, wildfires were not a problem in Florida, and homes rarely burned as result of woods fires. Florida's statewide open range allowed livestock owners to "run" cattle anywhere, regardless of land ownership. Many cattle owners burned the woods in the late winter in order for grass to come up, providing forage of the livestock, which was also good for propagating pines, but destructive to wildlife. Prior to the passage of fencing laws in 1949 under Gov. Fuller Warren, there were no deer or turkeys in Union and Bradford counties, because there was no natural habitat, that is no underbrush, because of the annual burning.
Farm houses were built in clearings for several reasons, but the danger of fire was always present in their minds, since the wooden shingle roofs were susceptible to catching fire from chimney sparks, as well as woods fires. As cities and towns began to push outward, more people began building in wooded areas, sometimes without proper respect for wildfire, creating the need for care and caution in locating a home, or creating a firebreak between the home and growing trees.
The Florida Division of Forestry addresses the issue of safeguarding a home in rural areas in a publication, "Wildfire Hazard Assessment Guide for Florida Homeowners." Forestry stations throughout the state can provide the magazine and other materials relative to fire safety, and provide speakers for civic and other clubs.
Losing homes to forest fires isn't confined to the western United States. In the past ten years we have lost hundreds of homes in Florida to wildfires, many along the east coast, not too far from Starke.
By Buster Rahn,
Telegraph Editorial Writer