Defensible Space

Your first defense against wildfire is to create and maintain a defensible space around your home. However this does not mean your landscape has to be barren. A defensible space is an area, either man-made or natural, where the vegetation is modified to slow the rate and intensity of an advancing wildfire. It also creates an area for fire suppression operations to occur and helps protect the forest from being involved should a structure fire occur.

Defensible Space Guidelines

Wildfire hazards can be effectively reduced by following these defensible space guidelines:

	The dimensions of a defensible space are subjective and depend on site characteristics, but typically a defensible space, on flat ground, extends a minimum of 75 feet around a home. This distance should be extended if the structure is located on a slope.
	Thin out continuous tree and brush cover around structures. The initial 15 feet around a structure should consist of an area in which all flammable vegetation is removed.
	Beyond the initial 15 feet, the trees should be thinned to 10 - 12 foot crown spacing. Occasionally, clumps of 2 or 3 trees are permitted for natural effects if more space surrounds them
	Dispose of all slash and debris left from thinning by either chipping, hauling away or by piling and burning (check with your local fire department for burning restrictions).
	Mow dry grass and weeds to a height of 6 inches or less for a distance of 30 feet from all structures.
	Prune branches from trees within the defensible space to a height of 10 feet above the ground fuels. Also remove shrubs and small trees, or other potential "ladder" fuels from beneath large trees; left in place, these can carry a ground fire into the tree crowns.
	Trim branches which extend over roof eaves and remove branches within 15 feet of a chimney.

	Clean roof and gutters of pine needles and leaves to eliminate an ignition source for firebrands, especially during the hot, dry weather of the fire season.
	Maintain the defensible space annually, by removing excess debris, shrubs and other vegetative growth accumulated during the year.
	Stack firewood and woodpiles at least 30 feet from any structure and clear away flammable vegetation within 10 feet of these woodpiles. Many homes have survived as a fire passed, only to burn later from a wood pile that ignited after the firefighters left. This home might not survive a wildfire
	Place liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and propane tanks and fuel storage containers at least 30 feet from all structures. Clear flammable vegetation from within 10 feet of all such tanks.

LPG

Propane Hill Remember, after you have established your FireWise environment, you must maintain it regularly. If you have any questions about creating or maintaining defensible space around your home, contact your local fire department, State Lands Fire Management, or county extension office.