Casas Arroyo Fire Prevention and Protection Plan

Fire Prevention Checklist:

At Least Once Annually:

1. Mow along the railroad.
   Responsibility: Casas Arroyo Homeowner's Assoc. .
2. Mow sides of interior roads.
   Responsibility: Casas Arroyo Homeowner's Assoc.
3. Mow around water tanks and well sites.
   Responsibility: Casas Arroyo Homeowner's Assoc.
4. Mow around homesite.
   Responsibility: Homeowner
5. Check/remove ladder fuels in trees around homes
   Responsibility: Homeowner
6. Review the date fire-retardant chemical retreatment is required on wooden decks, siding.
   Responsibility: Homeowner
7. Remove leaves, debris from roof and gutters.
   Responsibility: Homeowner

Ongoing Homeowner Responsibilities:

1. Keep woodpile 30 feet from structures and large trees.
2. Continue to make improvements to your structure (such as boxing in eaves and screening all attic and basement vents) that will reduce the risk of your home igniting.
3. Landscape near your home with plants that are not highly volatile (not manzanita, juniper, or cliff rose, which contain oils that burn quickly and with greater heat). Squawberry, ceanothus, and oak are better choices, because they are slower to catch fire and slower to burn.
4. Keep dry grass mowed around your house's perimeter (twice - annually is usually enough).
5. Ensure your county number is clearly visible from the main drive, so firefighters can find your location quickly.
6. Make an evacuation plan, using the checklists below. Each member of the family should know what their responsibilities are. Rehearse this plan at least once a year.

Homeowner Equipment Checklist

We suggest you have this eguipment on hand, even if you are not physically capable of using all of it. Others may use it to help control a fire near your home.

1. Enough 5/8-inch garden hose to reach the far side of your house
   
2. Long-handled round-pointed shovel
   
3. Heavy-duty rake
   
4. Heavy-duty hoe
   
5. Long-handled axe
   
6. Backpack pump for 5 gallons of water
   
7. Protective clothing (cotton, not polyester; long trousers; longsleeved shirt or jacket; protective helmet or hat; gloves; goggles; large handkerchief to fit over face, nose, and mouth; ear protection [from hat or another handkerchief])
   
8. A metal ladder that can reach your roof
   
9. Several multi-purpose fire extinguishers scattered at key locations around your house and other structures.
   
10. Buckets and trash cans for holding water
    
11. Wood or metal blocks to place over foundation and attic vents, even though the vents are screened