Sudden wildfire destroys nine homes, damages 10 others in Boise subdivision, Idaho Statesman. One resident was also found dead in the ashes.
This fire happened on a “red flag warning” day, and the winds made it very quick. Rocky Barker has some comments on the fire. The homes and yards had not been prepared to withstand a wildlife (no “firescaping”) according to Barker. The was lots of fuel in the yards and even shake roofs on the houses.
Boise fire was a textbook case of the need for firewise home protection. Letters from the West. Rocky Barker. Idaho Statesman.
Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University. He was a Western Watersheds Project Board Member off and on for many years, and was also its President for several years. For a long time he produced Ralph Maughan's Wolf Report. He was a founder of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. He and Jackie Johnson Maughan wrote three editions of "Hiking Idaho." He also wrote "Beyond the Tetons" and "Backpacking Wyoming's Teton and Washakie Wilderness." He created and is the administrator of The Wildlife News.
This fire occurred just a couple of blocks from a very good friend’s home. I’m sure he, his family, and home are okay but I’m sure it was scary.
The homes burned were sitting atop a basalt rim overlooking an undeveloped field filled with sage brush and cheat grass. It provided a great view of the city, river, and the mountains but what a price to pay.
Given the threat of fire and the impending energy crisis, it boggles the mind that more people haven’t chosen to build sheltered-earth homes (i.e. homes partially to mostly covered with earth). These homes are extremely energy efficient and–due to the concrete exterior and the fact they are partially buried, are also very fire resistant. Moreover, they seem a perfect fit for the West, where so many developments happen on the sides of hills.
Yikes, I’m dyslexic! I meant “earth-sheltered homes.” Here’s an example: http://www.martinbondphotos.co.uk/images/A8%20copy.jpg