June 2006

The home of Tim and Brenda Roig, located at 7211 Middle Warren Road at Pine Bluff, was selected the June 2006 FireWise Home of the Month.

A wildfire on June 10 never really threatened the Roig home since it was low-risk. The brick home with composition shingles, great defensive space, access, city water, etc., scored 17 points on the Arkansas Forestry Commission's Wildland Fire Risk and Hazard Severity Assessment Form. The low hazard rating is assigned for totals less than 40 points. Moderate is 40 to 69 points and High is 70 to 112 point. Extreme is anything above 112 points.

In fact, their daughter and son-in-law's home, (Brian and Paula Cranford) behind them appeared to be threatened by the wildfire because of the many large pine sawtimber trees in the yard, however the trees were well-spaced and all understory and ladder fuels had been removed, their lawn was well-watered, and their brick home was roofed with composition shingles, which helped to lower their risk.

The Roigs and Cranfords 2.7-acre tract is surrounded by a 200-acre tract owned by the Basil Ridgeway family, and all merchantable pine was clear-cut approximately three months ago.

The wildfire started during the peak burning period (2:30 p.m.) and thanks to a call by a neighbor or passerby to the Highway 15 South Volunteer Fire Department, a quick response, and some excellent fire supression tactics, the fire was contained at three acres.

In a letter to the Arkansas Forestry Commission, Tim Roig wrote:

"This letter is with our deepest appreciation and thanks to all that responded to the woods fire at 7211 Middle Warren Road on 10 June 2006.

"We don't know for sure who called this in, but if it wasn't for a quick response from ALL involved, two outbuildings, if not a house would have been engulfed with fire. Words cannot say enough about a job well done, and the hard work put out by each and everyone.

"Thanks to the person that called it in, the Highway 15 So. Fire Depart. and every level of expertise within the Dept., the operator on the bulldozer from the Forestry Commission for the fine job of fabricating a firebreak around the perimeter of the fire, and the Red Cross for the support and assistance they provided.

"Thanks to ALL for the assistance they provided."