The reason that homes burn or don't burn in a wildland fire is not always apparent. Firefighters often see structures that burned, but there was no fire path leading to them. One house would be demolished, and the one next door untouched, or hours after a fire had passed, a house would suddenly go up in flames.

Investigators have discovered that often homes burned because of wind-blown embers that smouldered for up to eight hours in gutters, under eaves, and in other crevices.

Homes in densely wooded areas, with thick under growth, are the hardest for firefighters to defend. The undergrowth acts like a step ladder for a fire, and once it gets to the tops and jumps from crown to crown, it's hard to stop. The fire creates its own wind, and a firestorm results. At that point, a fire is unstoppable.

There is a lot homeowners can do to prepare their homes for wildland fire exposure. The work is not difficult and the landscape effect can be pleasing. Properly done, hazard reduction can be a tremendous help to firefighters.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation provides these tips to help reduce fire hazards around homes in a wildland area:

• Maintain a 3 foot area of non-combustible material around the home, such as flowers, green plants, concrete, gravel, or mineral soil. Increase the distance below the structure if it is on a slope of 10 degrees or more.
  

• Within 10 feet to 30 feet of the home or structure, remove all trees and downed woody material and maintain grasses and other surface vegetation at 3 inches or less in height. Increase the distance below the structure if it is on a slope of 10 degrees or greater.
  

• From 30 feet to 100 feet of the home or structure, thin trees to a distance of 10 feet between crowns. Prune limbs of the remaining trees to 15 feet from the ground or one-third of the height of the tree, whichever is less. Remove all downed woody materials. Increase the distance below the structure if it is on a slope of 10 degrees or greater.
  

• Clear or reduce vegetation along driveways and road edges and try to have a driveway that is wide enough for fire trucks and a place for them to turn around.
  

• Dispose of all slash and flammable material from the property.
  

• Have the power company trim overhanging branches away from utility lines.
  

• Clean the roof and gutters of needles, leaves, branches and other combustible debris.
  

• Provide a 15-foot clearance between a chimney and the nearest tree branches.
  

• Make sure the chimney extends three feet above the roof and is capped with an approved spark arrestor.
  

• A roof should be made of fire resistant material. A wood shake roof should be treated with fire retardant chemicals or replaced.
  

• Enclose open spaces beneath features such a decks, balconies and stilts to keep out hot embers.
  

• Locate propane tanks at least 10 feet from the house and clear a 10-foot area around the tank.
  

• Stack your firewood at least 100 feet from structures and not on the downhill side.
  

• Ensure your water supply is useable during a fire emergency and garden hoses are readily available.
  

• Keep storage areas clean. Don't allow oily rags, flammable chemicals or newspapers to accumulate.
  

• Insure that all motorized garden equipment, lawn mowers and chainsaws have approved spark arresters.
  

• Display your name and house number in front of the property to assist firefighters in locating it