Missouri Wildfire Prevention - Key Defense Zones

By Blake Jackson

May is an ideal time for Missouri landowners to take proactive measures in safeguarding homes, barns, and other structures from wildfires, according to Joni Harper, a field specialist in natural resources at the University of Missouri Extension.

"While Missouri doesn’t typically see the massive wildfires that impact western states, we are certainly not immune," Harper explains. Grass fires, timber fires, and even prescribed burns that escape can cause significant damage, particularly in rural areas.

One of the most effective ways to reduce fire risk is by creating “defensible” space around your property. This space, where vegetation and other fuels are reduced or removed, can slow the spread of fire and improve firefighters' ability to protect structures.

Defensible space acts as a buffer between a building and surrounding wildland areas. Managing this space is crucial to preventing a fire from reaching your home, pasture, hayfield, or woodlot.

There are three primary zones to focus on:

• Immediate zone (0-5 feet from structures): This area is the most critical line of defense. Keep it clean and green by removing flammable debris, using gravel or noncombustible mulch, and regularly cleaning gutters, roofs, and under decks. Trim back overhanging branches and install spark arresters on chimneys. "This zone is also great for features like gravel paths or raised beds," Harper adds.
• Intermediate zone (5-30 feet out): Typically around yards or sheds, keep grass mowed to a height of 3-4 inches. Prune lower tree branches to prevent ladder fuels and avoid storing firewood or fuel tanks. Use fire-resistant landscaping and space out shrubs to interrupt the fire’s spread.
• Extended zone (30-100 feet and beyond): In this zone, work to slow the fire before it gets too close. Thin dense woods, remove dead trees, and maintain clear breaks between woods and buildings. Keep roads and trails accessible for emergency vehicles.

“By managing the land around your buildings, you’re helping to protect not just your home but your family, livestock, equipment, and neighbors as well,” says Harper.

To ensure firefighter access, roads and trails should be at least 16 feet wide for easy maneuvering.

For more wildfire safety tips, visit Firewise USA from the National Fire Protection Association at https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/wildfire/firewise-usa.

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