Staying Safe in Wildfire Season

If you live in a dry place like Salt Lake City, Utah, you know that wildfires are a serious risk during the hot summers. Wildfires are dangerous and if residents aren’t properly prepared, a wrongful death could occur — depending on how the fire was started. As your lawyer, we may be able to help you in the case of a wrongful death or other injury, but it’s better to keep everyone alive and safe.

In California, they developed a wildfire safety campaign called “Ready, Set, Go!” CAL FIRE’s campaign is designed for the California wildfires, but it’s also relevant in wildfire-prone places like Salt Lake City. Following these steps can help you and your family members avoid wrongful death.

Throughout the summer, make sure you are removing dead grass and dead plants from your yard. Trim your trees, making sure branches aren’t hanging over your home. Religiously clear out leaves and pine needles from your yard. By doing these things you will create a buffer between your home and the wildfire.

Hardening your home with fire-resistant materials will help prevent wrongful death, as embers from a wildfire can travel as far as a mile. If your home isn’t hardened, it is at risk of ignition even if the fire isn’t nearby. It doesn’t matter if you’re a lawyer or a judge, the fire will still burn your house.

Roofs are the most vulnerable part of your house. If you have a wood or shingled roof, you’ll want to re-roof your home with metal or tiles. Cover all outer vents with metal coverings.

Windows are a risk during a wildfire — glass will break if it reaches a hot enough temperature. A broken window will allow embers to enter your house, and large windows are more likely to break than smaller windows. If you can, replace large windowpanes with dubble paned windows instead. Make sure all your windows are tempered glass to maximize protection.

You’ll also want to take a look at your siding material. Wood products like board panels will have to be replaced with a more fire resistant material. Stucco, fiber cement and other approved materials will better protect your home against the flames. If you’re a lawyer and you don’t know how to identify the materials used on your house, call a professional in advance to help you prepare your house.

Getting set is all about preparing your family for the possibility of evacuation. Just like a lawyer prepares a court case, you should prepare your family for evacuation. Every family will be different — and different preparations will be necessary for each family. However, each family should have an action plan and emergency supply kits. These preparations are necessary for avoiding a wrongful death.

Your family’s action plan should have a designated meeting place outside of the fire hazardous area. You should plan a variety of different escape routes from your home and community. Have a plan that also plans for pets and large animals like horses or livestock.

Each member of your family in Salt Lake City should have at least one emergency supply kit. Supply kits need to include these things: three-day supply of food, three gallons of water, map marked with evacuation routes, medications, a change of clothing, an extra set of keys, money/credit cards, first aid kit, flashlight, batteries, important documents, contact information for your lawyer and sanitation supplies.

It will be better for your family, your home and your lawyer if you evacuate early. If you wait until the last minute, you won’t have time to do the extra little things that will increase your home’s defenses. Waiting until the last minute can be more dangerous for your family, and could result in a wrongful death. Don’t be stubborn — when it’s time to evacuate, make sure you have your emergency supply kits in your car, review the plan with your family and get out of there.

In recent fires, there has been a major problem with drones getting in the way of the firefighting flight crews. This can be a very serious problem.
Flight crews in have been grounded as a result of drone activity, allowing the fire to spread more rapidly. Since people insisted on flying their drones, officials in Salt Lake City had to evacuate some homes. Don’t fly your drones to see the wildfire up close — by doing so, you are causing wrongful death, and you will certainly need a lawyer in Salt Lake City to help you navigate this situation.

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If you’ve been injured and need legal help, please call Ascent Law for your free consultation (801) 676-5506. We want to help you.

Michael Anderson

People who want a lot of Bull go to a Butcher. People who want results navigating a complex legal field go to a Lawyer that they can trust. That’s where I come in. I am Michael Anderson, an Attorney in the Salt Lake area focusing on the needs of the Average Joe wanting a better life for him and his family. I’m the Lawyer you can trust. I grew up in Utah and love it here. I am a Father to three, a Husband to one, and an Entrepreneur. I understand the feelings of joy each of those roles bring, and I understand the feeling of disappointment, fear, and regret when things go wrong. I attended the University of Utah where I received a B.A. degree in 2010 and a J.D. in 2014. I have focused my practice in Wills, Trusts, Real Estate, and Business Law. I love the thrill of helping clients secure their future, leaving a real legacy to their children. Unfortunately when problems arise with families. I also practice Family Law, with a focus on keeping relationships between the soon to be Ex’s civil for the benefit of their children and allowing both to walk away quickly with their heads held high. Before you worry too much about losing everything that you have worked for, before you permit yourself to be bullied by your soon to be ex, before you shed one more tear in silence, call me. I’m the Lawyer you can trust.

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