Street Signs and Addresses

Firewise Inside & Out

The first few minutes of a fire are the most critical for saving your home when threatened by wildfire. Firefighting personnel must be able to immediately locate and safely travel to your home to have a chance to protect it.

Street signs and house addresses must be clearly posted, and roads must be able to accomodate busy traffic. At the same time fire engines and other emergency equipment are trying to drive into your area, you must be able to escape in your car with your family and valuable possessions. Make sure your address is clearly posted on your house and at the entrance of your driveway. Remove pine needles, leaves or other debris from the roof of any structure on your property.

Street Signs and Addresses
Proper identification of your home is essential. Remember, during a major wildfire, firefighters from throughout the state arrive to assist local firefighters, and they will rely on clear street signs and addresses to find your home.

Your street name and address should be printed in letters and numbers that are at least four inches tall, on a contrasting color background. They should be visible from all directions of travel at least 150 feet. The sign should also be made of fire resistant materials.

Each of the streets and roads in your area should be labeled, and each should have a different name or number. In addition, your home should have its own house number, which should be in numerical order along your street or road.

If your house is set back from the street or road, post your address at the entrance of your driveway. In situations where more than one home is accessed off a single driveway, all addresses should be posted at the street and at each appropriate intersection along that driveway.

Adapted from www.firesafecouncil.org