Prudent Prepping: Dry Time

The dust has settled and the First 72 Hours have passed. Follow along as I build a long term plan via Prudent Prepping.

I have no product reviews this week because none of them have made it here before my deadline or my bedtime.

What's Happening Now

Well, isn't this interesting?

While most of you are still seeing a little rain, or in some cases a LOT of rain right now, it's dry here. How dry, you ask?

'Hot objects' from vehicle tailpipe caused 26,850-acre Southern California blaze

Fire season is going strong, especially in the southern part of the state, with the north due to see action very soon. The property management group here just weed whacked the open space that starts 25' from my front door, reducing what can easily burn near me. Doing that lowers the threat, but doesn't take it away completely; short of xeriscaping, or maybe using just rock and cactus, there is no way to have normal landscaping with plants that is fireproof. 

If you do decide to plant a more traditional landscape, the local authorities have rules for what needs to be done to keep the fire danger lower. My county has very clear rules for reducing fires. From the webpage:

Defensible Space

Defensible space is an area around a building in which vegetation, debris and other types of combustible fuels have been treated, cleared, or reduced to slow the spread of fire to and from the building.

The most important person in protecting houses from wildfire is not a firefighter, but the property owner. It is the action taken by the owner before the wildfire occurs that is most critical. Everyone needs to know about defensible space.

The key to this is the land/home owner. There are many different guides to reducing your risk of fires, but one of the easiest (and shortest!) to read is from FEMA. The information is mostly directed at people living either in the wilderness or rural areas, but everyone can follow these directions, even if just in part, to keep an urban home safer.

In this post from 2017, I talked about the firestorm that burned major portions of Santa Rosa, CA. The pictures show a regular suburban neighborhood before and after a fire. Now, clearing 100' around your house in town won't work, but doing the easy things like trimming trees and cleaning gutters and reducing clutter will help, and a product seen in local Home Depots and on Amazon should help you keep your backyard safer.

Phos Chek Home Defense Fire Retardant Spray
From the Amazon ad:

https://amzn.to/3idn4rs

• Works naturally by eliminating the ability for fuels to combust when exposed to fire or embers
• A clear concentrate that mixes with water and can be sprayed using most simple garden sprayers
• Effective immediately after application; protects until washed off by rain, sprinkler, or hose
• Phos-Chek is pet, people and environmentally friendly when used as directed
• The only long-term fire retardant that is tested and qualified by the USDA Forest Service

I don't have a place to use this myself, but some of you may need to treat fences or other areas that could burn.

Recap And Takeaway

• Your disaster may not be mine, but most of the country can burn.
• Defensible Space has two meanings, but both will help keep you safe and secure.
• I'm still waiting for a package, so nothing was purchased this week.
• Phos Chek can be purchased through Amazon for the same price as Home Depot and earn this site some cash, $29.98 with Prime shipping.

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Just a reminder: if you plan on buying anything through Amazon, please consider using our referral link. When you do, a portion of the sale comes back here to help keep this site running!

If you have comments, suggestions or corrections, please post them so we all can learn. And remember, Some Is Always Better Than None!

NOTE: All items tested were purchased by me. No products have been loaned in exchange for a favorable review. Any items sent to me for T&E will be listed as such. Suck it Feds.