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Protecting Your Home from Wildfire
Conducted by the
Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources,
Colorado State University
and
Pacific Southwest Research Station,
United States Forest Service
With funding from the
Joint Fire Sciences Program
Your help on this study is greatly appreciated!
Please return your completed questionnaire in the enclosed envelope.
The envelope is self-addressed and no postage is required.
Privacy and Paperwork Reduction Act statements: 16 U.S.C. 1642(a) authorized collection of this information. This information will be used by the
U.S. Forest Service to better serve the public. Response to this request is voluntary. No action may be taken against you for refusing to supply the
information requested. When analysis of the questionnaires is completed, all name and address files will be destroyed. Thus, the permanent data will
not be linked to you in any way. Please do not put your name or that of any member of your household on the questionnaire.
Burden and Nondiscrimination Statements: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a
person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this
information collection is 0596-NEW. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 30 minutes per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and
reviewing the collection of information.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age,
disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs,
reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact
USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (voice). TDD users can contact USDA through local relay or
the Federal relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (relay voice). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Section I. Homeowner defensive forest fire management techniques
The following pages define things that homeowners can do to protect their homes from forest fire. The photos help
illustrate the definitions. Please read each definition and answer the questions that follow.
Defensible space creates an area around your house where vegetation (e.g., trees, shrubs, and branches) is cleared or
reduced to help protect your home from forest fire. It also reduces the chance of a fire moving from a building to a nearby
forest. Defensible space allows firefighters to do their jobs more effectively. Defensible space activities include (but are
not limited to) the following:
• Reducing the density of trees within 100 feet of the home
• Cleaning roof surfaces and gutters
• Removing overhanging branches within 10 feet of the roof • Ensuring that trees & shrubs are at least 15 feet apart
Homes WITHOUT defensible space
Homes WITH defensible space
• During the time that you have lived at your current address, have you done any of the following
defensible space activities? (Check all that apply or Does Not Apply to my residence)
Cleaned roof surfaces/gutters to avoid accumulation of leaves
Does Not
Apply
Trimmed the branches that extend over your roof
Stacked firewood/lumber at least 30 feet from house
Used non-flammable building materials such as tile, slate, brick, heavy timber, or stone
Planted fire resistant plants
Planted trees and shrubs at least 15 feet apart
Pruned the branches of all trees within 75 feet of your house to a height of 10 feet above the ground
Cut down trees under electrical lines
Reduced the density of trees within 100 feet of your home
Installed house number in clearly visible place
• How effective are each of the following defensible space activities in protecting a property from a fire.
(Circle one number for each statement).
Not at all
Effective
Defensible Space Activities
Slightly
Effective
Quite
Effective
Slightly
Effective
Extremely
Effective
Cleaning roof surfaces/gutters to avoid accumulation of leaves
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Trimming the branches that extend over your roof
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stacking firewood/lumber at least 30 feet from the house
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Using non-flammable building materials such as tile, slate,
brick, heavy timber, or stone
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Planting fire resistant plants
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Planting trees and shrubs at least 15 feet apart
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Pruning the branches of all trees within 75 feet of the house to a
height of 10 feet above the ground
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Cutting down trees under electrical lines
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Reducing the density of trees within 100 feet of the home
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Installing house number in clearly visible place
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
• Do defensible space activities make your property safer in the event of a fire? (Circle one number)
1
2
Makes no difference
3
4
Slightly safer
5
6
Moderately safer
7
8
9
Extremely safer
• Do defensible space activities make your home/property look better or worse? (Circle one number)
1
2
Extremely worse
3
4
Slightly worse
5
Neither
6
7
Slightly better
8
9
Extremely better
• How likely you are to do each of the following defensible space activities in the future?
(Circling one number for each activity).
Defensible Space Activities
Not at all
Likely
Slightly
Likely
Moderately
Likely
Quite
Likely
Extremely
Likely
Does Not
Apply
Clean roof surfaces/gutters to avoid accumulation of leaves
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Trim the branches that extend over your roof
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Stack firewood/lumber at least 30 feet from house
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Use non-flammable building materials such as tile, slate,
brick, heavy timber, or stone
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Plant fire resistant plants
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Plant trees and shrubs at least 15 feet apart
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Prune the branches of all trees within 75 feet of your house
to a height of 10 feet above the ground
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Cut down trees under electrical lines
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Reduce the density of trees within 100 feet of your home
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Install house number in clearly visible place
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Firewise construction is the use of fire-resistant materials in the construction of homes.
Firewise construction lessens a home’s chances of catching on fire during a forest fire.
Firewise construction modifications include (but are not limited to) the following:
• Fire resistant roofs made of aluminum, steel, concrete, clay, or slate
• House exteriors made of metal, stucco, stone, tile, heavy timber, or masonry
• Enclosure of the undersides of decks and balconies
• Windows, doors, and eaves that allow for proper air venting
Home made of heavy timber
Home made of stucco
Home with enclosed deck
Home with aluminum roof
• During the time that you have lived at your current address, have you done any of the following
firewise construction modifications? (Check all that apply or Does Not Apply to my residence)
Does Not Apply
Installed a fire resistant roof
Installed screening over roof vents
Installed fire resistant siding on house or other buildings
Installed windows or sliding glass doors that are multi-pane glass
Enclosed the undersides of decks or balconies
• How effective are each of the following firewise construction modifications in protecting your home from a fire?
(Circle one number for each activity)
Not at all
Effective
Firewise Construction Activities
Slightly
Effective
Slightly
Effective
Quite
Effective
Extremely
Effective
A fire resistant roof
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Screens over roof vents
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Fire resistant siding on house or other buildings
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Multi-pane glass windows and sliding glass doors
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Enclosed undersides of decks and balconies
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
• Do firewise construction activities make your property safer in the event of a fire? (Circle one number)
1
2
Makes no difference
3
4
Slightly safer
5
6
7
Moderately safer
8
9
Extremely safer
• Do firewise construction modifications make your home look better or worse? (Circle one number)
1
2
Extremely worse
3
4
Slightly worse
5
Neither
6
7
Slightly better
8
9
Extremely better
• How likely you are to do each of the following firewise construction activities in the future
(Circle one number for each activity)
Firewise Construction Activities
Not at all
Likely
Slightly
Likely
Moderately
Likely
Quite
Likely
Extremely
Likely
Does Not
Apply
Install a fire resistant roof
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Install screens over roof vents
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Install fire resistant siding on house or other buildings
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Install multi-pane glass windows or sliding glass doors
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Enclose undersides of decks and balconies
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Section II. Barriers to Defensible Space and Firewise Construction
When deciding whether to take action to reduce the risk of loss due to wildfire on your property, how much of a barrier is
each of the following items? (Circle one number for each statement)
Not a
Barrier
Minor
Barrier
Moderate
Barrier
Extreme
Barrier
Cost of doing defensible space activities
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Cost of firewise construction activities
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Time it takes to implement actions
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Lack of information about how to reduce risk
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Lack of knowledge about defensible space
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Lack of knowledge about firewise construction
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Disagreement with recommended actions
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Lack of authority to make changes to property
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Not enough space on property to make
recommended defensible space changes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Physical difficulty of doing the work
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Amount of work it would take to make the
recommended changes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Aesthetic impact on my property
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Would decrease the natural look of my property
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Neighbors do not do defensible space
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Would decrease my privacy
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Availability of expert advice
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
The terrain on my property
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Requires remodeling my home
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Procrastination
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Lack of equipment (e.g., chain saw)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Community does not have yard waste disposal
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Property layout
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Section III. Beliefs about Fire and Homeowner Activities
Indicate below how strongly you AGREE or DISAGREE with each of the following statements. While some statements
may sound similar, please read and respond to each of them. (Circle one number for each statement).
Strongly
Disagree
Moderately
Disagree
Slightly
Disagree
Neutral
Slightly
Agree
Moderately
Agree
Strongly
Agree
Homeowners should be personally
responsible for protecting their homes from
fire (e.g., creating defensible space).
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Homeowners are the most responsible for
protecting their homes, near a forest, from
wildfire.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
The community fire department is the most
responsible for protecting homes, built near
a forest, from wildfire.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Land management agencies are most
responsible for protecting homes, built near
a forest, from fire.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
If a wildfire breaks out, the first priority of
the agency managing that forest is to make
sure private property is not destroyed.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
If a wildfire breaks out, the first priority of
land management agencies is to ensure
public safety.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Laws should prohibit people from building
homes near forests where they can be
burned by fires.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
People should be allowed to build homes
where they want, even if it is in a high
wildfire zone.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Homeowners near a forest should be
required by law to take steps necessary to
protect their homes from wildfire.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
In the event of a forest fire, my home would
be protected by firefighters.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Creating defensible space around homes
should be voluntary.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Homes with defensible space should be
protected from forest fire before homes that
HAVE NOT taken such steps.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
New home construction should be required
by law to use fire resistant materials.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Using fire resistant materials in construction
should be voluntary.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Creating defensible space around my home
makes it safer for firefighters.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Without defensible space, firefighters will
not be able to protect my home.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Defensible space activities are not necessary
because my insurance company will cover
any losses due to wildfire.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
My defensible space activities will be
ineffective if my neighbors do not take
similar actions.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Section IV. Perceived Risk
• To what extent do you consider each of the following to be at risk from wildland fire?
(Circle one number for each statement)
No Risk
Slight Risk
Moderate Risk
Extreme Risk
Your own home
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Your neighbors’ homes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
The community in which you live
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
• How much do you think each of the following contributes to the chances of a wildfire damaging your property?
(Circle one number for each statement)
Not at all
Slightly
Moderately
A lot
Vegetation on your property
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Physical characteristics of your property other than
vegetation (e.g., steep inclines)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Physical characteristics of your house (e.g., roofing or siding)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Vegetation on your neighbors’ properties
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Vegetation on nearby public land
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Road access
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Diseases and pests (e.g., bark beetle, dwarf mistletoe)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Other (Please specify): ______________________________
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
• The following statements refer to your perceptions of risk related to wildfire. (Circle one number for each statement)
Not at all
Likely
Slightly
Likely
Moderately
Likely
Quite
Likely
Extremely
Likely
How likely do you think that your community
will experience a fire event in the near future?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
If a wildland fire were threatening your home,
to what extent do you feel you have the capacity
to defend your home?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Section V. Community Protection Activities
Below is a list of community related activities that residents can undertake to prepare for wildland fire.
Please respond to each statement in to both column A and column B.
Community Activities
COLUMN A
COLUMN B
HOW LIKELY ARE YOU TO DO THIS IN THE FUTURE?
DO YOU DO
THIS NOW?
Not at all
Likely
Slightly
Likely
Moderately
Likely
Quite
Likely
Extremely
Likely
Attend community-based meetings related to
wildland fire
Yes
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Attend a public meeting about defensible space
Yes
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Participate in wildfire-related events
(e.g., slash collection day)
Yes
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Help organize community education programs
related to wildland fire
Yes
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Work with your neighbors to reduce the risk of
wildfire on your property or that of your
neighbors
Yes
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Participated in a neighborhood or community
effort to clear trees
Yes
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Volunteer within the community to help clear
and remove combustible material
(e.g., brush, litter)
Yes
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Obtain additional information from a land
management, community group, or firefighting
agency on how to prepare for wildland fire
Yes
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Consult with public officials or foresters
Yes
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Other: ________________________________
Yes
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Section VI. Information Sources
Please select the response that indicates your agreement or disagreement with each of the following statements.
(Circle one number for each statement).
Strongly
Disagree
Slightly
Disagree
Neutral
Slightly
Agree
Strongly
Agree
I know where to go or who to contact if I have questions about defensible space.
1
2
3
4
5
I have discussed defensible space issues with others (e.g., family, neighbors).
1
2
3
4
5
My awareness of defensible space issues has increased during the past year.
1
2
3
4
5
From which of the following sources have you received information about reducing the risk of wildfire?
(Check all that apply)
Neighborhood group (homeowners group, local board, etc.)
County wildfire specialist
Neighbors, friends, or family members
Colorado State Forest Service
Media (newspaper, TV, radio, internet)
Federal agency (e.g., U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service)
Local fire department
Other Please describe: ______________________________
None of the above,
I have not received any information about wildfire risk.
Section VIII. Trust and Credibility
• This section asks for your views on the wildfire management agencies in your area.
Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.
(Circle one number for each statement)
With respect to recommendations for defensible
space, the wildfire management agencies …
Strongly
Disagree
Moderately
Disagree
Slightly
Disagree
Neutral
Slightly
Agree
Moderately
Agree
Strongly
Agree
… share similar values as me
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
… share similar opinions as me
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
… think in a similar way as me
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
… take similar actions as I would
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
… share similar goals as me
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements regarding your trust in
wildfire management agencies. (Circle one number for each statement)
With respect to recommendations for
defensible space, I trust the wildfire
management agencies in my area to …
Strongly
Disagree
Moderately
Disagree
Slightly
Disagree
Neutral
Slightly
Agree
Moderately
Agree
Strongly
Agree
… provide the best available information
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
… provide me with enough information to
decide what actions I should take
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
… provide truthful information
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Section IX. Experience with Fire
• We would like to know about the kinds of experiences you have had with forest fires.
Please check any of the following experiences you have personally had related to forest fire.
(Check all that apply).
Been injured as a result of a forest fire
Had personal property destroyed or damaged due to a forest fire or threat of wildfire
Experienced discomfort from the smoke of a forest fire
Had my work/job/livelihood affected by a forest fire
Residence damaged or lost due to a wildfire
Been evacuated from my house due to a forest fire
Received a reverse 911 call to prepare to evacuate
Know someone who has been evacuated from her/his residence due to a wildfire
Known someone whose residence has been damaged or lost due to a wildfire
Section X. About Yourself
We would like to know a little about you. This information will remain completely confidential.
1. Are you?
___ Male ___ Female
2. In what month and year were you born? ______ Month
_____ Year
3. Is the address to which we sent this survey your primary residence?
Yes
No
4. Do you live at this residence year round?
Yes
No
5. Do you own or rent this property?
Own
6. How long have you lived in this residence?
________ Years
7. Were you involved in the design of this residence?
Yes
Rent
No
8. Which best describes this residence? (Check one)
____ A mobile home or trailer
____ A building with apartments
____ A one-family house – detached from any other house ____ A one-family house attached to one or more houses
____ Other: please specify ____________________________
9. What is the size of your lot?
________ acres
10. Is this residence located in a subdivision?
___ No
___ Yes If yes, which one? _____________________________
11. About how far is this residence from a forested area? (Check one)
____ I live within a forested area
____10 - 15 miles away
____ Less than 1 mile away
____15 - 20 miles away
12. Do you belong to a homeowners or landowners association?
____ 1 – 5 miles away
____21 – 50 miles away
Yes
____ 5 - 10 miles away
____ More than 50 miles away
No
13. How would you describe your current residence or community? (Check one)
___ a large city with 250,000 or more people
___ a town with 10,000 to 49,999 people
___ a city with 100,000 to 249,999 people
___ a small town/village with less than 10,000 people
___ a small city with 50,000 to 99,999 people
___ a farm or rural area
14. How many years of formal education have you completed? (Circle one number)
6 7 8 9
10 11 12
13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22
High School
College
Master’s
Doctorate
15. What is your approximate annual household income before taxes? (Check one)
___ Less than $10,000
___ $25,000 to $49,999
___ $75,000 to $99,999
___ $10,000 to $24,999
___ $50,000 to $74,999
___ $100,000 to $124,999
Thank you very much for participating in this study!
___ $125,000 to $149,999
___ $150,000 or more
| File Type | application/pdf |
| Author | Katie Lyon |
| File Modified | 2012-05-02 |
| File Created | 2012-05-02 |