To reduce the risk of wildfire in our town, home ignition zone assessments were recently conducted on 61 homes on Bass Lake as part of our Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).
Specially trained firefighters from the WDNR, the United States Forest Service (USFS), and the Eagle River Area Fire Department performed the assessments by evaluating the outside of the homes, focusing on building materials, maintenance, landscaping, and vegetation. They gave the homeowner suggestions on how to reduce the risk of wildfire and increase the chances of their home surviving a wildfire.
The assessments were voluntary, free, and with no obligation for the property owner to complete any of the recommendations.
The home ignition zone includes the home and up to 100 feet around it. Research indicates that building features and immediate surroundings impact wildfire ignition risk. Assessing the home ignition zone helps identify areas that may increase wildfire damage potential.
The property owners received a folder with the assessment as well as information on how to reduce the wildfire risk to their homes.
Each year, a particular area of our town is selected for the home ignition assessments. Approximately half of the homes on Bass Lake were assessed this year. Pending CWPP grant funding, the remaining homes will be assessed next year.
