Preparing In The Urban Interface

Conditions on the forest are becoming increasingly volatile, raising concerns among local fire officials about the risks to homeowners in the urban interface area.  Jackson Hole Fire Marshal Kathy Clay says now is the time to organize critical items should an evacuation become necessary. Ready-to-go kits should include items that are near and dear, but also such things as home-owners and car insurance papers, social security cards, and medical prescriptions.  However, Clay also suggests having a plan for the evacuation of pets.  She urges residents to subscribe to Nixle which is the county’s text and email notification system in the events of emergencies or evacuations. Once that sort of preparation is done, Clay suggests homeowners survey around the outside of their homes to be sure they are defensible in the event of a nearby wildfire.  Among the measures to be taken are cleaning flammables out of the gutters, moving firewood stacks away from the home, removing patio furniture from the porch and putting the gas grill’s propane canister in a clearing away from the home.  Meanwhile, the North Buffalo Fire just north of Buffalo Valley increased by 3500 acres yesterday and is not estimated to involve 7500 acres.