Tips for Creating Defensible Space
Zones of Defensible Space
Creating zones of defensible space around your home is one of the most effective ways to protect against wildfire damage. By strategically clearing, spacing, and treating vegetation and structures in defined zones, you reduce the chances of fire reaching your home and give firefighters a safer area to defend it. Each zone plays a critical role in slowing fire spread, minimizing ember ignition, and increasing your property’s overall resilience.
Zone 1 (5-30 ft)
Zone 1 extends from Zone 0 (first 5 feet around a structure) to 30 feet around a structure and deck or to the property line if less than 30 feet. Zone 1 is designed to reduce wildfire risk by minimizing flammable materials and maintaining vegetation in a way that slows fire spread. Creating and maintaining defensible space is crucial for wildfire safety, helping protect homes and firefighters.
Zone 1 Requirements:
- Remove dead leaves, pine needles, and debris from your yard, roof, and gutters.
- Trim overhanging branches to at least 10 feet away from chimneys.
- Keep trees pruned to maintain spacing.
- Clear flammable vegetation and items from under decks, balconies, and stairs.
- Maintain space between trees and shrubs.
- Ensure outbuildings and propane tanks have 10 feet of clearance with no flammable vegetation nearby.
Zone 2 (30-100 ft)
Zone 2 extends 30 to 100 feet around a structure or to the property line if less than 100 feet. Zone 2 is designed to slow the spread of wildfire by reducing the amount of vegetation that could fuel flames.
This zone helps create a buffer that reduces fire intensity before it reaches a structure.
Zone 2 Requirements:
- Mow grass to a maximum height of 4 inches.
- Create horizontal spacing between shrubs and trees.
- Remove dead vegetation and fallen leaves.
- Prune lower branches of trees.
- Ensure outbuildings and propane tanks have 10 feet of clearance with no flammable vegetation nearby.
Fire exposure risks around your home
Direct Flame Contact
Installing our sprinkler systems to the roof of your home and on poles in your landscaping with heat sensors linked to our smart app will detect the immediate threat to your home of wildfires approaching and immediately activate your sprinkler system.
Embers
Home-hardening with defensible space can help to mitigate ember exposure. Let us check to insure that your vents and eaves are properly sealed and closed.
Radiant Heat
Applying our fire-resistant coating materials to the outside of your home will aid in providing layers of protection to significantly reduce the chances of ignition. Applying glass laminates to windows will greatly help in heat reduction and lessen the chance of flames breaking through to your home.
Additional resources
