Surviving Wildfire: Get Prepared, Stay Alive, Rebuild Your Life

by Linda Masterson, Rex A. Ewing (Foreword)

Every year wildfire destroys thousands of homes, devastates countless lives and burns millions of acres. And every year people who've lost everything say, "We didn't think it would happen to us. If only we'd been better prepared." Now homeowners have a straight-talking handbook to help them get prepared, stay alive and rebuild their lives if disaster strikes. Surviving Wildfire's compelling combination of real-life experience and in-depth research makes it an indispensable tool for anyone living with wildfire risk. CONTENTS Assessing Your Risk; Firewise Building & Remodeling; Defensible Space You Can Live With; Advance Planning (A Pound of Prevention Can Save a Ton of Trouble); Evacuation Essentials (What to Take, When to Leave, How to Escape); Insurance (How Much You Need, What It Covers, How It Works); Filing a Claim (Insider Tips & Tactics); Recovery (Picking Up Your Pieces & Starting Over); Our Story; plus an Appendix with further resources for homeowners.

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2012

About the author

Linda Masterson is a writer and researcher who specializes in sifting through mountains of information, unearthing what really matters and communicating with people in ways that make them think, nod their heads, groan, laugh and then get up off the couch and do something. Her books are well-researched, filled with practical information and fun to read. Books include Living with Bears Handbook and Surviving Wildfire. Get Prepared. Stay Alive. Rebuild Your Life. Linda and husband Cory Phillips live on Florida's southern Gulf Coast.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

While much of the information in this book is available online and via other free resources, Ms Masterson organizes and presents it in such a way that adds tremendous value. She always cites sources of her information, in case the reader wants to delve deeper. Read this book cover to cover to give yourself some familiarity with the process before being forced to live it. Then use it as a reference guide and to-do list to prepare in case a wildfire ever impacts you (and let's face it, if you live in the Front Range, you *will* be impacted by wildfire). Finally, during and after a loss to wildfire, use the book as a source of comfort and organization. I read this book on loan, but I will be picking up my own copy so that it will be there in case I ever need it.

[Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book covering all aspects of living through wildfire: preparation, evacuation, insurance and rebuilding. The author was well prepared and had to even face a smaller fire on her own but a fast-moving fire ended up destroying their home. She credits a police scanner with saving their life and said the reverse 911 call came to their house after their house was already on fire and they evacuated on their own with no official warning. Their house was in a rural location but I think this book is great for anyone living with the threat of fire in the community. The part about rebuilding was very inspiring. The book was very well written and a fast read, highly recommended. It also can really help people prepare and harden their home and avoid losing their home or be better prepared to face evacuation and rebuilding.

[Sean Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book on wildfires from a victim of one. These were handed out by our local fire department and I certainly don't regret picking one up!