Homeowners Warned To Be Ready For Fire Inside

Fire equipment: Outfitting an army of firefighters can be logistical nightmare. B4

At McCall: Crews shore up fire lines near resort town. B4 By Rich Roesler Staff writer HAYDEN LAKE It’s not a question of whether wildfires will threaten North Idaho homes this summer, fire officials warned Thursday, but a question of where and when.

“Anybody who’s fighting fires today that isn’t scared hasn’t fought many fires,” said Mike Dannenberg, a captain of a rural fire district at Missoula, Mont.

Dannenberg was among a dozen fire officials who held a news conference Thursday warning residents to be ready if wildfires hit nearby.

The biggest concerns for firefighters are homes built in remote areas, where brush and trees provide ready fuel. Steep ravines and narrow, winding roads also make firefighting in these areas tough.

If possible, those homeowners should replace wood roofs with fire-resistant shingles, officials say. In the meantime, lawns should be well-watered, brush trimmed far back and woodpiles moved away from the home.

It’s important, officials said, to plan evacuation routes now, with two possible roads and one path out on foot.

Leave if a home is threatened by a wildfire, the officials said. If there is time, homeowners can pack valuables, documents, emergency medicines and cash, and flee. They should tell someone when they left and where they’re going.

“We’d like to see everyone leave,” said Post Falls Fire Protection District deputy chief Dan Ryan. “But there’s some people who would rather stay.”

“I don’t think there’s any house made worth dying over,” said the U.S. Forest Service’s Wally Huff. “If you choose to stay and get trapped, you’re pretty much on your own.”

If a homeowner decides to stay, the officials said, he or she should take the following steps:

Evacuate pets and anybody who won’t be able to protect the home, such as children or older relatives.

Put the car in the garage, facing out for a quick escape. Put pets and valuables inside, and leave the keys in the ignition. Disconnect electric garage door openers to save time later.

Cotton and wool clothes are better than synthetics, which can melt. Wear long pants and boots and carry a long-sleeved shirt.

Get combustibles such as wood piles and lawn furniture away from the house and deck.

If possible, close the attic and eave vents. Close windows.

Place garden hoses so they will reach anyplace on the house.

Place large plastic trash cans around the perimeter of the house, fill them with water and soak rugs and towels in them for use beating out flames.

Place a ladder against the roof on the side of the approaching fire. If the roof is wood, turn a sprinkler on it when the fire draws near.

Do not lock windows or doors. Firefighters may need instant access.

Close al doors inside the home to block the movement of fire inside.

Turn lights on so the home can be seen in heavy smoke.

Fill bathtubs, sinks and other containers with water.

Shut off natural gas at the meter. Shut off propane or other fuel tanks.

Take down or leave open drapes, which can burst into flame from heat radiating through a window. Close Venetian blinds.

Move furniture away from windows so it won’t catch fire.

When the fire arrives, stay inside the home.

“Even if it’s hot, it’s a lot hotter outside,” said Ryan. “You have some defense, at least for a while.”

If you flee at the last minute, do not drive through fire.

“You don’t know what’s on the other side,” said Dannenberg. “Maybe a car wreck, or a tree down.”

After the fire passes, check the roof immediately. Put out sparks and embers with towels soaked in water. Check the attic for hidden sparks. Continue checking for several hours after the fire.

“On a year like this, if you can smell the smoke, you’d better be packing a bag,” said Dannenberg.