Mobile Home Listings & News

Mobile home village in Sarasota County becomes 'Firewise'

HERALD STAFF REPORT

SARASOTA - River Walk Mobile Home Village will become the first mobile home community in Florida to become "Firewise" today.

The Firewise Communities/USA program is administered by the Florida Division of Forestry and recognizes communities that demonstrate the "spirit, resolve and willingness" to take responsibility for wildfire protection, according to a Sarasota County press release.

River Walk residents saw the importance of becoming a Firewise community after seeing the devastation that a wildfire can bring, according to the release. By using Firewise landscaping, the homeowners created a defensible space around a home which reduces the risk of fire spreading quickly.

The county provided a few tips to reduce the threat of wildfire are:

Encircle the home with well-irrigated areas of at least 30 feet on all sides, providing space for fire equipment in the event of an emergency.

Remove highly flammable vegetation around the home.

Take out "ladder fuels," the vegetation, such as vines or ivy, that links grass and tree tops. These fuels can carry fire from the vegetation to a structure.

Keep trees and shrubs pruned. Prune all trees up to six to 10 feet off the ground.

Mow your lawn regularly.

Dispose of clippings and debris promptly, according to local regulations

Keep a well-maintained irrigation system.

Use less flammable plants such as dogwood, redbud, sycamore, magnolia, oaks, and red maple. Check with local nurseries and landscaping stores for other recommendations.

For more information on keeping a Firewise surrounding and becoming a Firewise Community call the Sarasota County Fire Department at 861-5000, or visit www.firewise.org and the All Hazards website at www.scgov.net