Our Opinion: How to help firefighters help you

Archimedes said, "Give me a lever and place to stand, and I will move the world."

All firefighters are asking is for the place to stand, so they can save a little piece of someone's world: their home.

During the worst of the Ray May blaze, when flames were looming and firefighters had to retreat, some homes were saved because their owners had at least 30 feet of defensible space around them, according to East Fork Deputy Chief Dave Fogerson.

Firefighters are there to protect life and property, but when it comes right down to it, they're going to choose life -- yours and theirs.

But in addition to creating a defensible space around your home, there are a lot of things you can do to help protect your own property.

Keeping the area around your home lean, clean and green is just one of many tips that are available at the website http://livingwithfire.info/

Not only is the home you save likely to be your own, but that work will help save surrounding homes, giving firefighters a toehold in battling the blaze.

It's a great way to help and thank the people who protect our homes.