Defensible Space | California Wildfire Prevention
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- čas přidán 12. 08. 2021
- Defensible Space | California Wildfire Prevention
Last year we visited Gary after he was recovering his land from California’s 4th largest wildfire.
He and his family did evacuate expecting to lose their home, but with the preparation that they had done primarily with defensible space and reducing combustible material, their house was spared from the fires.
Now a year later, his 5-acre ranch is back to full growth and Gary is preparing for another wildfire season. Gary believes the right tools and equipment to be proactive in fire abatement are key in preparing his property. His California ranch consists of extremely steep hills, most of them being 30 degrees in slope. Because of the extreme slope capabilities of the Ventrac, he’s able to mow and knock down the weeds on 100% of his property, especially the area surrounding his house. Having a tractor that can handle these hills is crucial in preparing for potential wildfires and removing the brush that is a combustible material.
Gary shares the additional steps they have taken this year to further defend their home against wildfires. He has chosen to lay down more gravel around their barn for defensible space. And using the Ventrac Power Rake he’s been able to successfully establish fire breaks around his property by turning the grass under the dirt.
The grass that Gary maintains on his property is kept at a much lower height which does inhibit the potential fire from spreading out of control. And he’s able to maintain the growth of the tall brush easily and safely with the Ventrac Tough Cut.
Gary was happy to share that their insurance company has continued to maintain their service even in a high fire area and he attributes this to their efforts in being proactive in protecting their home.
Gary believes the first line of defense against wildfires is the homeowner and that means he is doing everything he can by using the right tools and equipment to create a defensible space around his home.
Products featured in this video:
VENTRAC 4500: www.ventrac.com/products/trac...
KP540 POWER RAKE: www.ventrac.com/products/atta...
TOUGH CUT: www.ventrac.com/products/atta...
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Finally! Someone in the chronic situation doing the right things. I can't be the only one discusted when the news laments burned-out properties there with clear evidence of brush and vegitation remains right up against the homes! That is NUTS! Keep it cut low. A generator, pump, and sprinklers for the metal roofed buildings.
What do you say you and I move in to Earthquake, Tornado Alley and other dangerous areas and help them do defensive living seminars.
Pretty cool a mower can help save a home.
Well apparently there is at least one homeowner in CA with some common sense and a plan. I am surprised after last years fire, more people didn’t follow this guys lead and do the same.
Some of the problem in California is that public lands through laws and administrative rulings are not allowing the clearing out of grasses and scrub brush and like this property owner said that just makes the fire burn hotter and faster in its coverage. The steps he is taking are some things that the state really needs to consider especially after the disaster last year and this year with their wildfires. One thing I would suggest is to look into getting the water tanks that spray that ABI makes which is a total american-made product in the Midwest. I imagine the Ventrac can pull it with its rear hitch and it's got sprayers to wet down dirt and grass if a fire is spreading in the area.
You would imagin a landscape company could make really good money maintaining properties for fire control with a Ventrac out there.
Awesome!
Wow... that dust chokes me from where I am sitting. I think Ventrac should sell a ROPS or 3-point mounted water tank to spray the ground to keep the dust down.
it would be easy enough to make one using an ag sprayer
Q- How often do you clean and replace your air filters? A-Yes
I have worked in similar conditions in Texas and have to blow them out daily or sometimes more than once on a large job. It has an inner and outer filter
But what I am seeing is him mowing down 3’ of grass. Defensive space is very very low cut grass. I have 2-3’ grass in Florida where we have been saturated with rain. With a Ventrac, it should take 2-3 hours to clean his space up. We have big ranches here in Florida. Lots of horses and cows. I am not comfortable with all the poisons and pesticides to control the non-grass growth and bugs. We let a once cleared property get out of control which I regret. Thanks for sharing your life struggle with us.
Will those area cleared with the power rake erode. I guess you don’t get enough rain to cause a major erosion problem. Good luck through the present drought.
Non combustible dirt? Wow, on the other hand, what is combustible dirt?