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Nebraska Forest Service

Wildfire Hazard Assessment Test

Select the buttons that correspond to your condition and push submit at the bottom. A window will then pop up indicating your hazard rating and some recommendations. Use this test to evaluate the fire hazard of your home. Play with the settings to determine which aspects affect the outcome the greatest. In some cases an image is provided to illustrate a good or bad condition. Other images represent a balance between good and bad. Feel free to contact the NFS Fire Control Section or your local fire department for more information on how you can reduce the threat to your home or property.

SITE HAZARDS

Surrounding Trees

Hardwoods (leafed trees)
No trees within 30'
10 trees within 30'
10-20 trees within 30'
20+ trees within 30'

CONIFER TOUCHING VENT
Conifers (needled)
No trees within 30'
10 trees within 30'
10-20 trees within 30'
20+ trees within 30'

MIXED WOOD URBAN INTERFACE
Mixed Wood
No trees within 30'
10 trees within 30'
10-20 trees within 30'
20+ trees within 30'

Ladder Fuels
Underbrush and low branches present?
Yes No

ROCKGARDEN2.jpg (214068 bytes)  EEEEEH2.jpg (160691 bytes)
Type of Ground Cover
(majority of type of coverage within 30')
Sand, Gravel, etc (Non-combustible)
Grasses up to 6" tall
Grasses 6" - 12"
Grasses greater than 12"
Mosses
Shrubs with leaves
Shrubs with needles

FIREWOOD2.jpg (153682 bytes)  FUELTANK2.jpg (133639 bytes)
Firewood or Fuel Storage
(e.g. propane/oil tanks)
None
0 to 3' from structure
3' to 30' from structure
30'+ from structure

BRUSHPILE.jpg (198041 bytes)
Brush Piles
None
0 to 3' from structure
3' to 30' from structure
30'+ from structure

STUFF TOO CLOSE TO HOUSE
Gas Cans, Paint, etc
None
0 to 3' from structure
3' to 30' from structure
30'+ from structure

OPEN BURNING
Open Burning Practiced?
Yes  No

No Burn Barrel/Incinerator
or not to Standard?
Yes  No

GOODDISTANCE2.jpg (121045 bytes)  BETTEREXPOSURES2.jpg (128192 bytes)
Outbuildings within 20'
of Structure?
Yes  No

Total Site Hazard =

STRUCTURAL HAZARDS

TILE ROOF2.jpg (91502 bytes)  SHAKE ROOF2.jpg (157681 bytes)
Roofing Materials
Metal, tile, or fiberglass
Asphalt shingles/rolled roofing
Wood (Cedar shingles)

GOOD FOUNDATION
Foundation
Enclosed (Fireproof, i.e., concrete, metal)
Enclosed with wood sheeting
Open

BRICKWALLS2.jpg (192769 bytes)  JUNK2.jpg (220730 bytes)
Exterior Wall Materials
Brick/Stone/Metal
Vinyl/Wood

BRICKPORCH2.jpg (214540 bytes)  CONIFERUPTODECK2.jpg (218718 bytes)  DECK ANDOVERHANG2.jpg (180226 bytes)
Decks and Overhangs?
Yes
No

Total Structural Hazard =


HAZARD REDUCTION 

GOOD PRUNING AND SHORT GRASS
Site Hazard Reduction Activities
Trees pruned up to 6'
Lot cleared of brush within 30'
Grass kept watered and short
Leaves/needles raked
3' of gravel or non-flammable material adjacent to structure

CLEANROOF2.jpg (111037 bytes)  TERRIBLEROOFCRAP2.jpg (200948 bytes)
Structure Hazard Reduction Activities
Regularly cleaned roof
Non-flammable skirting on decks
Clear of flammable material against structure

POND2.jpg (134478 bytes)  STANDPIPE2.jpg (206985 bytes)
Other Hazard Reduction Activities
Useable water supply nearby
Fire fighting equipment - hose, ladder, shovel
Communication system (phone, radio)
Knowledge of fire reporting number
Burn barrel/incinerator to standard
Outbuildings hazard-free

Total Hazard Reduction =



Credit for this page to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Kansas Forest Service.