I got this question from a resident and while I can give my opinion, I don’t feel comfortable being the only voice she hears.
Here is her question:
I’m interested in the presentation, but I mainly wondered about the discussion of FENCES: are most people thinking they will have to replace wooden fences? Or just a portion that connects to the house or garage? Or not do anything? Most people up here have wooden fences, and replacing them seems like a prodigious and expensive task, but replacing only a portion may be just as challenging and aesthetically unappealing in addition. I was particularly interested in what people are thinking about this issue. I’m pretty up to date on the new requirements, and our area did seem to pass the initial inspections quite well; we got a pass for our house last fall. BUT - fences???
Any info you can pass along to me will be helpful. I’m part of a group trying to help the Miller-Whittaker neighborhood be FireWise!
Welcome to this site! It is great that you are getting a Firewise group going. You are welcome to post questions here and hear from people who have been through the process. Here is information to support your efforts.
And now your question: we are all wrapping our heads around which changes to make first. From the information presented by the Berkeley Fire Department, I’ve concluded that wooden fences are wicks for fire to spread quickly in neighborhoods.
Fences often are screened with shrubbery. When a fence catches fire, the vegetative fuel next to it will go up as well. If there is layered plant material along a property line, all of it can catch easily. If the wildfire starts with Diablo winds, embers start flying. Fences are kindling to spread fire.
If the fence (or gate) is within your Zone 0 (between 0-5’ from your home) it should be removed and replaced with a metal or wire fence (or gate). This action directly protects your home. The bottom line is: nothing should be combustible within Zone 0. See this excellent research paper for the science behind this recommendation/regulation.
If you can live without a fence, you may be able to define your property line another way. For example, using short metal stakes, intermittent rocks or gravel to define the edge, this keeps the space more open, and reduces the cost of a solution.
Hi Cam, welcome. Looking forward to the Miller-Whittaker neighborhood becoming a FireWise community.
Sometimes a video is helpful in conveying the importance of certain measures. Here is a one minute video that shows how wooden fences attached to a structure can increase the risk a wildfire presents: CAL FIRE: Home Hardening Demonstration Burn w/ IBHS
I have a wooden fence around my yard that will likely be replaced soon, but I’m immediately replacing the section in the Zone Zero area with metal as my top home hardening priority this season. Ruth’s suggestions are quite good as well, and perhaps I’ll go that route. But the wooden fence attached to my house is going now!