April 2007

The April 2007 Arkansas FireWise Home of the Month belongs to Gary Stephenson of Cane Creek. The home was nominated by David Samuel, Arkansas FireWise Coordinator, following a visit to the Cane Creek Volunteer Fire Department in Grant County.

Stephenson purchased the 27 acres on the north side of Hurricane Creek in 1980, and it took a year to burn up 13 large brush piles pushed up by the dozer. He began constructing his home and landscaping in 1982.

Trees immediately around the home have been thinned and all ladder fuels removed. The wildland fire risk has also been greatly reduce through the use of brick siding and Class-A asphalt shingles during the home's construction. The nearby pond provides an excellent emergency water source.

A portion of his property with bottomland hardwoods is preserved with a conservation easement.

Recently, Stephenson lost a buffer between his home and Highway 167 as a result of road construction, but the Arkansas Forestry Commission provided pine seedling to help restore some privacy.