The wildfire in Golden Gate Estates destroyed nine structures, including four homes. The Florida Forest Service is urging people to be “Firewise”. 

The premise is simple: Take proactive measures to protect your house in the event of a wildfire. 

While touring an area burned by the Golden Gate Estates fire, Samantha Quinn—with the Florida Forest Service—points to a home she considers a “Firewise” home.

A big part of it is having defensible space.

“It’s an area that is lean, green, and clean. And we recommend a minimum of 30 feet of defensible space around your home. And that helps us not only get to the fire and do structure protection around your fire," she said. "It helps our bulldozers get around, if we have to put a line around your house. And it also helps the fire that if it does come to your property, the lower, the greener and the cleaner it is, it immediately drops that intensity down and the fire department is able to put water on it. So, it could potentially save your home.” 

Another part of making your house "Firewise" is keeping your roof clean. Any dry and dead vegetation or debris on your home could ignite flying embers.