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Low Wildfire Hazard -Homes are built with concrete and <br /> appropriate non-flammable roofing materials. Short grass, low <br /> shrubs and light duff are present. The forest and heavy <br /> vegetation are not continuous throughout the community. <br /> Wildfires that do occur in these areas are less intense and <br /> easier to suppress because of the lower volume of fuel to feed <br /> and sustain the fire. (Vero Beach) <br /> Medium Wildfire Hazard -Wildland vegetation is continuous <br /> throughout the community. Tall grass, medium shrubs, thick <br /> duff and ladder fuels are prominent in the area. Vegetation is <br /> less than 30 feet from homes. Homes are built with vinyl, <br /> plastic or other types of less fire-resistant materials. Access is <br /> limited and the concentration of fuel to feed fires causes more <br /> intense fire behavior. Fire suppression becomes more difficult <br /> and costly. (Fellsmere, Florida Ridge, Gifford, Olso, Roseland, <br /> Vero Beach South, Vero Lake Estates, Wabasso, and Winter <br /> Beach) <br /> High Wildfire Hazard -Dense, highly flammable vegetation <br /> surrounds the neighborhood and is within a few feet of homes. <br /> A thick layer of vegetation is present on the forest floor.Access <br /> to the neighborhood is limited to one entrance and/or on poorly <br /> maintained roads. Homes are rarely built with fire-resistant <br /> materials. Continuous, overgrown vegetation limits access and <br /> creates intense wildfire conditions. Fire suppression is <br /> challenging and requires more resources (engines, dozers, <br /> and aircraft) and firefighters than normal. (Sebastian) <br /> Hazard Rating Factors—Although there are many factors that <br /> affect the survivability of homes during wildfires, the following <br /> have been shown to be important in Florida. <br /> • Access —Roadway and shoulder widths, road <br /> maintenance standards, turnarounds and road surface <br /> materials affect how quickly emergency crews can respond, <br /> as well as how quickly and safely residents can evacuate. <br /> • Vegetation —Wildland vegetation (fuel) in Florida is <br /> highly variable both in amount and type and burns <br /> differently at different times of the year. Generally <br /> speaking, native vegetation is more likely to burn during the <br /> winter months when grasses and weeds have been killed <br /> by frosts and freezing temperatures. In addition, many <br /> Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 35 <br />