The emerging weather pattern is of greater extremes. We have just seen a period of extreme and prolonged wetness. The flip side is of course drought and with it heightened fire risk. So yes, better to assess and minimise risk while we can.
I've always thought our house, being stone and slate would be fairly resilient but now I know it wouldn't! Apart from all the spaces, like under the barge boards, we have a timber framed back porch with plastic gutters and a polycarbonate roof. We also have a caravan quite close to the back of the house. I certainly wouldn't be able to do anything in the way of fireproofing as I'm now 77, have fibromyalgia and am still recovering from a serious road accident a year ago so can't do much at all. John is a few months older and wouldn't admit it but is slowing down so wouldn't want to do anything. I think our strategy would be centred round escape!
Hi Doughty louise, thanks for your comment. I'm sorry to hear about your accident. I think many folk will find themselves in similar situations as we get older. I'll be 68 this year and at present am still reasonably fit and able although nothing is certain for me (or anyone) these days and who knows when, or even if, fire will occur? Its possible that we will escape it and the next generation will have to deal with it. David Holmgren advises linking up with friends in a more fire safe area and spending any danger days with them. Take care. Chris.
Two excellent informative pieces. Thanks Chris. Inspiring me to do a fire risk assessment of our new timber frame and timber clad home and the tree planting plans, especially those closer to the home.
Hi Stefan- thanks for kind words and I'm very glad you found the pieces on fire useful- better to get ready now before it catches up with us, eh? Regarding tree planting, I've been finding more clues in Joan Webster's books- one thing she mentions is that smooth barked trees are generally more fire resistant than rough barked ones- the rough bark catches embers and is more likely to catch fire and once alight, the bark is prone to break up and burning bits can then blow on the wind, spreading the fire.
The emerging weather pattern is of greater extremes. We have just seen a period of extreme and prolonged wetness. The flip side is of course drought and with it heightened fire risk. So yes, better to assess and minimise risk while we can.
I've always thought our house, being stone and slate would be fairly resilient but now I know it wouldn't! Apart from all the spaces, like under the barge boards, we have a timber framed back porch with plastic gutters and a polycarbonate roof. We also have a caravan quite close to the back of the house. I certainly wouldn't be able to do anything in the way of fireproofing as I'm now 77, have fibromyalgia and am still recovering from a serious road accident a year ago so can't do much at all. John is a few months older and wouldn't admit it but is slowing down so wouldn't want to do anything. I think our strategy would be centred round escape!
Hi Doughty louise, thanks for your comment. I'm sorry to hear about your accident. I think many folk will find themselves in similar situations as we get older. I'll be 68 this year and at present am still reasonably fit and able although nothing is certain for me (or anyone) these days and who knows when, or even if, fire will occur? Its possible that we will escape it and the next generation will have to deal with it. David Holmgren advises linking up with friends in a more fire safe area and spending any danger days with them. Take care. Chris.
Two excellent informative pieces. Thanks Chris. Inspiring me to do a fire risk assessment of our new timber frame and timber clad home and the tree planting plans, especially those closer to the home.
Hi Stefan- thanks for kind words and I'm very glad you found the pieces on fire useful- better to get ready now before it catches up with us, eh? Regarding tree planting, I've been finding more clues in Joan Webster's books- one thing she mentions is that smooth barked trees are generally more fire resistant than rough barked ones- the rough bark catches embers and is more likely to catch fire and once alight, the bark is prone to break up and burning bits can then blow on the wind, spreading the fire.