Preventing wildfires by ‘firewising’ your home

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is partnering up with High Country Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) area, Inc. in working with residents in Johnny Creek in Pocatello to make their homes more defensible against wildfire.

This project also comes after the fire and distruction in 1987 with numerous homes affected in the Johnny Creek drainage. As well as 70 homes that burned in the Charlotte Fire in 2012.

The project has been possible through funding and cost sharing with the BLM in Idaho Falls and the RC&D.

“The focus of this was to create a fire safe environment for the homes and their families here. And all of the homeowners were really great to work with. It’s really difficult to get adjacent homeowners to work together,” said Danny Mann, Wildfire Educator.

But with the Defensible Space Project, the High Country Resource Conservation and Development organization is helping eliminate certain trees or vegetation from your home. Which can minimize the spread of wildfires.

“And I know a lot of folks feel, ‘well that’s what we have insurance for.’ But doing work like this, allows you time to get out. It also allows firefighters a chance to come in and possibly defend your home,” said Pam Herdrich, Resource Conservation & Development.

All very important matters when your home is at high risk in wildfire territory.

“And so, I did a project right after moving in and then another project a couple years later. And then this past summer,” said Chris Stevens, homeowner.

“Of all the entities that come together to make this happen and encourage homeowners to participate, is that, it allows the fire dept to really evaluate your property and be part of those decisions as to what trees you take down,” said Joan Maloff, homeowner.

Maloff says this is one way to save tax payer dollars by keeping your home firewised.

The defensible space project finished three homes last year. This year, they are scheduled to work on seven more in the johnny creek area.