PENINSULA – Pacific County Fire District No. 1 Fire Chief Thomas O’Donohue is warning of an early fire season.

“We have already experienced fires and low moisture levels that indicate problems for local residents and firefighters,” he said last week.

With this danger in mind, Chief O’Donohue encourages the following safety precautions beginningaround your home.

To create a “fire-wise” landscape, you must remember that the primary goal is fuel reduction, O’Donohue said. Divide your landscape plan into four zones; with zone one being the closest to your structure.

Zone 1 – This well-irrigated area encircles the structure for at least 30 feet on all sides, providing space for fire suppression equipment in the event of an emergency. Plantings should be limited to carefully spaced low-flammability plants.

Zone 2 – Low-flammability plant materials should be used here. Plants should be low-growing, and the irrigation system should extend into this section.

Zone 3 – Place low-growing plants and well-spaced trees in this area, remembering to keep the volume of the vegetation low. The more vegetation, the more fuel a wildland fire can burn.

Zone 4 – This is the furthest zone from the structure and is a natural area. Selectively prune and thin all plants and remove highly flammable vegetation.

Remember, a little pre-planning can result into huge benefits if a wildland/dune-grass fire should strike.

For more information on the Web visit the Pacific County Fire District 1 Web-page at (www.pcfd1.org) or call Pacific County Fire District No.1 at 665-4451.