In anticipation of National Wildfire Awareness Month in May, City of Austin and Travis County officials held a joint press conference to encourage community members to take precautions from sparking a wildfire and protect their homes. While the threat of wildfires has been a constant, the number of people who could be impacted has increased with continued growth in Austin, moving the City to fifth in the nation for number of homes at risk of wildfire. 

Summers in Central Texas traditionally are hot and dry, which are ideal conditions for wildfires to occur and quickly spread. To prepare, leadership from the City of Austin and Travis County encourage community members to take measures to harden their property against wildfires and avoid behaviors likely to lead to wildfires starting. 

“Wildfires can spread incredibly fast, so we encourage people to take precautions to keep a fire from sparking,” said Austin HSEM Director Jim Redick. “To protect against wildfires from spreading, please create a defensible space around your home by clearing brush and debris and harden your home by using or switching to non-combustible materials for fences, decks, and balconies.”

Ready, Set, Go!

The Austin Fire Department Wildfire Division launched its Ready, Set, Go! program during the summer of 2023 along with City of Austin Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HSEM). The program provides guidance on how to harden your home against wildfire and evacuation planning resources.  

In addition to mitigation and preparedness tips through the program, Austin HSEM and AFD Wildfire partnered to create Ready, Set, Go! emergency messaging for those signed up to receive wildfire messages from Warn Central Texas. Subscribers will get a text, call, and email with timely information about conditions on the ground and advice about recommended actions. When wildfire is a threat, a “Ready” message prompts recipients to prepare an emergency supply kit and be ready to put personal wildfire plans into action. “Set” messages indicate a wildfire is in the area and it is time to be in a position to evacuate quickly should conditions require. A “Go!” message means it is time to leave the area immediately. This message also provides evacuation order instructions and directions for checking in with public safety personnel. This allows responders on the scene to be aware of any homes with people still inside or needing assistance. 

Learn more about Ready, Set, Go! can be found at ReadyCentralTexas.org as the program is designed to help people prepare their homes and communities for what to do during a wildfire not just beforehand. 

To register for wildfire emergency notifications, visit WarnCentralTexas.org today.

Hardening Your Home

How susceptible your home or business is to wildfire can depend on materials used its construction. Embers in a wildfire will find the weak spot in your protection plan or can easily embed in small, overlooked areas. 

Areas of your home to consider the types of building materials used include:

• Balconies and Decks
• Roofs
• Eaves
• Vents
• Walls and Fencing
• Windows and Doors

Defensible Space

Removing combustible materials and/or debris that helps prevent the spread of wildfire by creating a defensible space around your home. When creating defensible spaces, divide your property up into three different zones:  

• Immediate Zone: 0-5 feet around your home
• Intermediate Zone: 5-30 feet
• Extended Zone: 30-100 feet

Each zone has its own recommendations for protection and prevention. Learn more about each of these zones and hardening your home Ready, Set, Go! Wildfire Personal Action Guide. It is available in English and Spanish at AFD’s Wildfire Hub online or at ReadyCentralTexas.org.

Preventing a Spark

More than 80% of wildfires are started by people. Preventing a wildfire from sparking can save lives and property. Wildfires can spark from a number of sources. Discarded cigarettes, improper use of an outdoor grill, unattended campfires, dragging tow trailer chains on the ground, and even idling or parking vehicles on tall, dry grass. 

Dry grass and vegetation can cause wildfire to spread very quickly. Embers can be carried away by high winds and start another fire more than a mile away to ignite another fire. Knowing and understanding the significant risk and dangers of wildfire can help people change their behavior or take note of their activities to prevent sparking a wildfire.  

Wildfire Awareness Month

FEMA considers May Wildfire Awareness Month, and to promote it Austin HSEM intends to share wildfire prevention and preparedness tips via social media throughout the month. In addition, Austin HSEM will put an emphasis on wildfire preparation and prevention in its next Ready Together public emergency preparedness training class on Thursday, May 7. The quarterly training will include a section from Austin Wildfire. Registration is open now for the free course at ReadyCentralTexas.org. You can also request a Ready Together training for your business or neighborhood online. 

Austin HSEM will provide wildfire information at its next Emergency Preparedness Pop-Up on Wednesday, May 18, at the Menchaca Branch Library from 3-6 p.m. The monthly event features multiple partners in emergency management and response educating the public about emergency preparedness and distributing emergency supplies. AFD’s Wildfire Division will have a table at the May pop-up event.

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