SECURITY
INFORMATIVE VIDEOS ABOUT WILDFIRES & COMMUNITY SAFETY
Below are three links to informative videos, with two of them less than five minutes. Everyone is encouraged to watch all three videos, even the 13 minute video. They provide tips from professionals and comments from people that have been impacted by wildfires. Some of the tips are simple and could be vital to a home not catching on fire; i.e. removing all pine needles within 5’ of a structure, remove the needles from gutters and on the roof. Although not simple to replace, wood roofs are known to be a big contributor to a home catching on fire if wildfire embers land on any roof, but significantly more dangerous if the roof is wood and there is a collection of pine needles.
FIREWISE SUGGESTIONS
In 2021 the assigned Firewise zone for Forest Highlands is Zone 1; made up of lots: 328-377, 416- 424 & 459-516. Assessments have been completed and sent to the respective lot owners. For all the community, please help maintain a safe community by doing Firewise safety practices such as the items listed below. One of the most important Firewise practices is to maintain the “Immediate Zone” which is the 0-5 foot zone around the home, to include the home. In a nutshell, remove combustible items from the 0-5 foot zone. Below are the few simple suggestions in maintaining a Firewise Defensible Space on your lot(s): Remove dead fuels from your property • Remove dead standing trees and logs from the ground less than 16” in diameter • Remove dead shrubby materials • Cut down dried grasses and flowers • Remove needles, leaves and branches from the ground, leaving an organic covering of approximately 1” • Clear needles and leaves from roofs and gutters • Store firewood at least 30’ (if possible; minimum of 10’) up- hill from your home
DURANGO, COLORADO SUCCESS STORY
CHOICES THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
YOUR HOME CAN SURVIVE A WILDFIRE
GRASS and WEEDS Fire season is definitely upon Arizona. For purposes of maintaining a beautiful and safe community, please comply with the HOA rule (2.30 Maintenance of Lots and Homes) requiring Members to maintain lots/yards. All lot and home owners shall maintain their lots and homes in good repair. The accumulation on any lot of trash, debris, compost piles or tree and shrub clippings, shall be removed by the owner at the earliest possible time. Native grasses and tall weeds shall be mowed on a regular basis and maintained in a manner consistent with the natural environment of the surrounding forest and common area of Forest Highlands. As a reference point, grass and weeds on lots should not exceed knee height. If it is determined grass/weeds on a lot are a fire danger or unmaintained, the owner will be required to cut the vegetation, so it is safe and appears maintained. There are many landscaping companies that do work in Forest Highlands, but if you are not aware, the FH Recreation Department offers yard work through their Concierge Services program. If you want to utilize Concierge Services, their number is: 928.525.9792.
VOICE IN THE PINES | AUGUST 2022 38
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