Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Safety
The Town of Suffield has an area of 42.2 Square Miles. Much of the Town is residential, farming and open/natural areas. A residential area next to an open and/or natural area is called a Wildland Urban Interface. Though we have seen this term applied to many other United States areas, it also applies to New England. Please consider the information below to help protect your homes and out-buildings.
• Immediate Zone (The building and 3 to 5 feet around it):
-Keep roofs and gutters free of dead leaves, debris and pine needles.
-Replace or repair loose or missing shingles or roof tiles.
-Move anything that can burn, like flammable plants/weeds, leaves, needles and firewood piles, from exterior walls.
-Examine under decks and clean out any combustible debris.
• Intermediate Zones (Area 5-30 feet from the Immediate Zone):
-Keep lawn and native grasses mowed to four inches.
-Remove ladder fuels (vegetation under trees).
-Prune trees 6-10 feet from the ground.
• Extended Zone (Area 30 to 100 feet from the Intermediate Zone):
-Clean out ground litter and debris.
-Remove dead plants and trees.
-Remove plants and trees from around storage sheds and outbuildings.
• A home within one mile of an open/natural area is in the Ember Zone.
-When strong winds accompany a fire, sparks can fly well in front of the fire and initiate fire spread.
• Assure your address is visible from the road and that your driveway is accessible for fire and emergency vehicles to reach your house and out-buildings.
Information Source: USFA/FEMA.GOV