I knew one guy in a fire zone - He did his house up all fire resistant materials (Read things like block walls, etc, complete with the wide borders etc) and his secret (he was in a similar situation to the OP - no trees, wide grass, then fields) - his garage had a nice cat bulldozer he took from his company when he sold it - he said "I can clear a NICE firebreak around my place in an hour or so, and WILL do so, if needed"

May I suggest a fire ditch? Simple and effective... Just make sure there's no place the fire can jump.

It's used in Forestry all the time here.

I've converted my ThreatCon Checklist into a FireCon Checklist. Please remember that I have NO experience in this type of situation and have listed those things that have come to my mind. Please make use of this if you can and repost any new list that you make with it for the rest of us to benefit from.

FireCon Checklist
Updated 29Aug10

5=Set at the beginning of Fire Season.
4=Fire(s) have started within your state or in a nearby state.
3=Fire(s) have started within your county.
2=Winds are forecasted to shift to an unfavorable direction
1=Local authorities are expected to issue an Evacuation Order for your area; Fire is approaching your area.


FireCon 5: Upon setting FireCon 5:

1) Have a “Family Plan” of what to do and where and how to meet in the event of an incident. Insure all family members are thoroughly briefed.
2) Ensure that basic supplies are kept at home for a minimum of 72 hours (3 days) sustenance/maintenance.
3) Know where the other family members are, when not at home.
4) Keep vehicle gas tanks at least half full.
5)

FireCon 4: Upon setting FireCon 4:

1) Ensure that basic supplies are kept at home for a minimum of 6 days sustenance/maintenance.
2) Know where the other family members are, when not at home.
3) Insure that 72 hour BoB’s are ready and readily accessible.
4) Maintain the “normal“ ear to local news broadcasts.
5) As opportunities occur, maintain contact with neighbors to share information.
6)

FireCon 3: Upon setting FireCon 3

1) Establish a “Rendezvous Point“ for family members, in case of separation.
2) Top off vehicle fuel tanks.
3) Load BoB‘s in vehicles.
4) Maintain a close watch on local news broadcasts.
5) Establish alternative communications system with extended family members.
6) Know where family members are and evaluate any destinations that family members wish to go to.
7)


FireCon 2: Upon setting FireCon 2:

1) Call Family Members home. Know everybody’s whereabouts.
2) Keep fuel tanks in vehicles above the ¾ full level.
3) Decision Time: When to leave and where to proceed.
4)


FireCon 1: Upon setting FireCon 1:

1) Execute Bug Out Plan.
2)

Fire breaks work but don't seem to make much difference if wind is a major factor. Embers often fly way ahead of the main burn area, crossing freeways, valleys, etc. Not sure if its been mentioned, but private fire crews here are known to use a retardant foam sprayed directly onto the house. Of course its probably expensive and you need enough time to apply it.

My experience with fires in my area has been that you go from FireCon 5 to FireCon 1 in, oh, about 5 minutes or less. It is almost always fire season in Southern California, the notable exception being El Nino winters.

Being aware is everything, particularly of weather conditions. Santa Ana winds increase the devastation potential considerably. These winds will carry flames across major freeways.

In my old age, I have simplified everything into food, water, my 4WD truck, and gas. Plenty of gas. That's it. My entire survival plan. The rest of what I need, I carry in my pockets everyday, or wear on my person.