ALICE, Texas — After a day of non-stop battles against wildfires and house fires, the weather appears to have calmed down. Now, authorities are sharing information so homeowners can best protect their properties.
The Jim Wells County Commissioners Court recently extended the burn ban, because weather conditions for the next few weeks are expected to be dryer and hotter than usual. The Jim Wells County Sheriff’s Office has also shared some information about how property owners can mitigate fire risks. They are urging property owners to maintain their grass and properly dispose of leaf and brush piles.
In addition to the tips shared by the Sheriff’s Office, we put together some of the best practices from experts in Texas for mitigating wildfire risk.
Proper landscaping and yard maintenance can go a long way to protecting your home from a wildfire. Fire-resistant native plants like Texas sage, yucca, and agarita are less likely to ignite during a wildfire because they retain moisture, making them an excellent choice for your yard or property.
On the flip side, if you have any of these highly flammable plants and trees, you might consider replacing them to better-protect your home. Juniper, cedar, and pine trees all contain natural oils that can fuel wildfires, so they are not a good fit for Texas residents who are facing the risk of wildfires.
Yards that use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to keep plants hydrated are also better protected against wildfires, because they keep your soil, plants, and grass moisturized and harder to ignite, without creating any puddles that invite mosquitoes and other pests.
Creating firebreaks is also a great technique for preventing or slowing the spread of a wildfire. You can use gravel or stone pathways to slow down potential fire movement.
While it won’t be possible to realistically attempt all of these wildfire prevention techniques, employing a combination of some of these suggestions can significantly increase the natural protection for your home and property.