Preparing is the thoughtful thing to do.
To help ensure that your property, home, and family are better protected, we recommend that you have defensible space.
What is defensible space?
Defensible space is a properly maintained buffer between your property and the area surrounding it. This space will help prevent or inhibit wildfires from reaching your house, or other structures on your property, as well as give firefighters the adequate space they need.
How to Create Defensible Space Zones
Zone 1
(0-30ft)
Structure Protection
Zone 1 is the last line of defense. Keeping this space in excellent condition can lessen the intensity of a wildfire and help safeguard structures from catching on fire.
Zone 1 is the last line of defense. Keeping this space in excellent condition can lessen the intensity of a wildfire and help safeguard structures from catching on fire.
- Mow tall grass
- Remove leaves and dead vegetation
- Keep lawn hydrated and maintained
- Prune tree branches up 6 to 10 feet from the ground
- Cut branches overhanging the roof of the house
- Use non-flammable landscaping materials and/or high-moisture-content plants within five feet of your home
Zone 2
(30-100ft)
Fuel Reduction
Zone 2 is an important intermediate stretch that serves as a protective damper. Correctly maintaining and removing materials that encourage fires will help diminish the size and strength of an advancing wildfire and potentially divert it from your property.
Zone 2 is an important intermediate stretch that serves as a protective damper. Correctly maintaining and removing materials that encourage fires will help diminish the size and strength of an advancing wildfire and potentially divert it from your property.
- Leave 30 feet between clusters of two to three trees, or 20 feet between individual trees
- Promote a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees
- Create “fuel breaks”, like driveways, gravel walkways and lawns
- Prune tree branches up 6 to 10 feet from the ground
- Clear heavy accumulation of fallen branches and landscape debris
- Plant vegetation that retains moisture and needs minimal maintenance
Zone 3
(100-200ft)
Property Management
The farthest defensible space section, Zone 3 acts as the first preventative barrier to your home, or other structures on your property. Managing this outlying area will help minimize wildfire growth and promote a healthier and safer property overall.
The farthest defensible space section, Zone 3 acts as the first preventative barrier to your home, or other structures on your property. Managing this outlying area will help minimize wildfire growth and promote a healthier and safer property overall.
- Remove smaller conifers that are growing between taller trees
- Clear heavy accumulation of fallen branches and landscape debris
- Replace highly-flammable species of trees and shrubs with less fire-prone species