John A. said:
If you have access to it, it may not be a bad idea to rent a small bull dozer to make a fire break trench around your property if it looks like the cabin is in imminent danger.
I'm sure Oli700 could give better advice but that's my first thought.
That’s what I would do….but I know all the loggers in the woods so a dozer is feasible and common here, and if there wasn’t a dozer available I would grab a couple of friends and dig fire line around the structure by hand. 3 feet wide to mineral soil and anchored into itself or unburnable like a gravel road
Most structures don’t burn down from direct flame impingement but from air born embers or firebrands. I would go in there and create as much defensible space as I could. Board up windows, run some screen around all openings, decks. Clean the gutters and all debris room breeze ways, throw all the firewood and flammable material away from the house.
Set up sprinklers and then leave the rest to the firefighters. They should be well ahead of the fire triaging structures. They should come in and determine one of three things considering surrounding vegetation and construction materials, water supply and room to maneuver or escape from the area of the structure.
Stand alone: you did all your work up front, construction material is fire resistant. Chances are it will be ok on its own
Defendable: work can be done by firefighters and the structure is defendable if we stay with it putting out spot fires and “steering “ the fire around the structure.
Not defendable or a loser : cant protect the structure because to much work or firefighters will be in grave danger doing so. It is just signed off and owner might get lucky.
Don’t know whow they do it there but they should atleast try to have the structure foamed down or do point protection with a Helo and bucket while the fire burns through.
Wind is amazing and I feel the biggest factor against firefighting .I have seen wind blow fire around snow drifts so sometimes it doesn’t matter how dry or wet the woods are 20+ wind will dry the surface and push the fire in an environment that won’t usually burn. The fire behavior you are experiencing is extreme…..are you guys in a drought?
We were starting to get fires but we got a big shot of rain…..if they call for anyone from Oregon I’ll PM you