COEUR d'ALENE - When the temperature hits 90 degrees and lingers, wildland fire danger goes up. Burning embers and sparks can travel up to a mile from a fire. Even the smallest spark can ignite a powerful and damaging blaze under the right conditions.

Coeur d'Alene Deputy Fire Chief Glenn Lauper tracks news of wildland fires across the nation. When the Lower North Fork fire occurred in Colorado in April of this year, 3 people died. Authorities reported that 12 percent of the people who lived in the fire's path did not receive emergency notification that the fire was approaching.

Early this July, a wildland fire in Pocatello destroyed over 100 structures. Lauper and other fire department personnel pass along information about lessons learned from these fires to prevent similar events from happening in our community.

Wildland fire is the number one natural threat to Kootenai County residents and property. It's not too late to prepare for the threat of wildfire, and citizens can do a lot to help themselves during these dog days of summer.

For example, consider incorporating Fire Resistive Design. When building, remodeling, or landscaping, purchase fire resistive building materials such as cement board siding and fire-rated roofing materials. Grass and ivy are excellent fire resistant landscaping features.

Also consider Fire Resistive Maintenance. Clear or thin natural fuels 30 to 50 feet from your home and limb up trees to remove "ladder" fuels. Store your firewood at least 20 feet from all structures. Clear your roof and gutters of all pine needles and leaves. Have your address numbers clearly visible from the street.

If a wildfire threatens, listen to the radio, TV, or view social media for emergency broadcasts. Back your vehicle into the garage or driveway, have a "Go" bag packed and ready to go, including a phone and medications (go to www.ready.gov for emergency supply list). Then, listen for instructions or call 911. Assemble a shovel, rake, and garden hose and wet down combustible roof and siding if time allows. Fill buckets with water and place a roof ladder on the opposite side of the roof from the side of the fire threat. Know two different ways out of your neighborhood.

The Coeur d'Alene Fire and Police departments are working together to protect the community during these hot, dry days. They are currently developing redundant emergency notification systems and social media applications to alert the public about what to do and where to go in an emergency.

For more information, please call the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department at 208-769-2340, visit its website cdafire.org, Facebook, or follow the department on Twitter: @CDAFD. Sign up for emergency notifications at www.Nixle.com or by texting your zip code to 888777.

Glenn Lauper is Deputy Fire Chief of the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department