Near other buildings, you could see where the fire had swirled to within 6 inches of a deck pier, then moved in a different direction and left the cabin untouched. Along with UI extension educator Chris Schnepf at Coeur d'Alene and UI horticulturist W. Michael Colt at Parma, the trio gave property owners a comprehensive look at how they could best protect their homes when they choose to live in or on the fringes of the North-west's dry forests. As in business, the best choice often boils down to location. When a home already stands in a draw or other landscape feature that could direct wildfires its way, fire protection strategies range from trimming shrubs and trees to create a defensible space for firefighters to choosing plants that resist flames better than others. The bottom line for homeowners, woodland owners, and all Idahoans, however, is that the region's forests are shaped by fire.
Fire is as elemental a part of the ecosystem as rain.
Barkley is leading another effort to produce a guide to help landowners recover from fire. The guide examines what people can do to protect the land from fire's worst effects while recognizing its benefits. Her advice for property owners, once the smoke clears, is to take a deep breath. The charred and moon-like scene that confronts visitors is often emotionally wrenching, Barkley said. Fires can bake the soil so severely that water cannot penetrate it.