With the weather warming up, there are some things you can do around your house to make it more fire safe:

• Properly store gasoline and other flammable liquids in a safe and ventilated location.
• Carefully dispose of rags with paint and stain.
• Inspect and clean outdoor grills before using them. Make sure they are clear of debris and in good working order.
• Clean chimney - be sure that the chimney, roof and gutters are clear of any debris or anything that is flammable.
• Keep debris away from your residence. Wood piles should be kept a distance away from your house.
• Be sure to clean our your dryer vent.
• Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Make sure your fire extignuishers are up to date, in a location that is easily accessible in case of an emergency.
• Replace air filters.
• Visually inspect electrical outlets and electrical cords. Make sure cords are in good condition before using them.
• Make sure your address is visible from the roadway. 

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOUR HOUSE AGAINST WILDFIRE?

ZONE 0 - CLOSEST TO HOME (EMBER RESISTANT)

The first five feet from your home is the most important. Keeping the area closest to buildings, structures, and decks clear will prevent embers from igniting materials that can spread the fire to your home.

Why? The majority of homes lost to wildfire are ignited by flying embers. Embers can travel miles ahead of the active front of wildfires.  

What to do:

• Use hardscape like gravel, pavers, or concrete. No combustible bark or mulch.
• Remove all dead and dying plants, weeds, and debris (leaves, needles, etc.) from your roof, gutter, deck, porch, stairways, and under any areas of your home.
• Remove all branches within 10 feet of any chimney or stovepipe outlet.
• Limit combustible items (like outdoor furniture and planters) on top of decks.
• Relocate firewood and lumber to Zone 2.
• Replace combustible fencing, gates, and arbors attached to the home with noncombustible alternatives.
• Consider relocating garbage and recycling containers outside this zone.
• Consider relocating boats, RVs, vehicles, and other combustible items outside this zone.

ZONE 1 - KEEP IT LEAN, CLEAN & GREEN WITHIN 30 FEET

Regularly clear dead or dry vegetation and create space between trees. During times of drought when watering is limited, pay special attention to clearing dead or dying material.  

Why? Removing dead plants and creating space between trees and shrubs creates a buffer for your property and reduces potential fuel for fire.  

What to do:

• Remove all dead plants, grass, and weeds.
• Remove dead or dry leaves and pine needles.
• Trim trees regularly to keep branches a minimum of 10 feet from other trees.
• Create a separation between trees, shrubs, and items that could catch fire, such as patio furniture, wood piles, swing sets, etc.

ZONE 2 - REDUCE POTENTIAL FUEL WITHIN 100 FEET

Continue reducing potential fuel within 100 feet or the property line.

Why? 100 feet of defensible space is required by law. Public Resources Code (PRC) 4291

What to do:

• Cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of four inches.
• Create horizontal space between shrubs and trees. (See diagram)
• Create vertical space between grass, shrubs and trees. (See diagram)
• Remove fallen leaves, needles, twigs, bark, cones, and small branches. However, they may be permitted to a depth of three inches.
• Keep 10 feet of clearance around exposed wood piles, down to bare mineral soil, in all directions.
• Clear areas around outbuildings and propane tanks. Keep 10 feet of clearance to bare mineral soil and no flammable vegetation for an additional 10 feet around their exterior.

HOW TO SPACE TREES & SHRUBS

VERTICAL: Maintain space between the lowest tree branches and the ground or shrubs.

• Remove all tree branches at least six feet from the ground.
• Allow extra vertical space between shrubs and trees. Lack of vertical space can allow a fire to move from the ground to the brush to the treetops like a ladder. This leads to more intense fire closer to your home.
• Keep at least three times the height of any shrubs between the shrubs and the lowest branches of trees.

• Example: A 5-foot shrub is growing near a tree. 15 feet of clearance is needed between the top of the shrub and the lowest tree branch.

HORIZONTAL: Maintain space between the lowest tree branches and the ground or shrubs.

• Remove all tree branches at least six feet from the ground.
• Allow extra vertical space between shrubs and trees. Lack of vertical space can allow a fire to move from the ground to the brush to the treetops like a ladder. This leads to more intense fire closer to your home.
• Keep at least three times the height of any shrubs between the shrubs and the lowest branches of trees.

• Example: A 5-foot shrub is growing near a tree. 15 feet of clearance is needed between the top of the shrub and the lowest tree branch.

SPACE BETWEEN SHRUBS:

• Flat or mild slope (less than 20%): Two times the height of the shrub.
• Mild to moderate slope (20-40%): Four times the height of the shrub
• Moderate to steep slope (greater than 40%): Six times the height of the shrub

SPACE BETWEEN TREES:

• Flat or mild slope (less than 20%): 10 feet.
• Mild to moderate slope (20-40%): 20 feet.
• Moderate to steep slope (greater than 40%): 30 feet.

MAINTAINING VEGETATION FOR WILDFIRE SAFETY

Proper care of your garden’s vegetation can significantly improve its resistance to wildfires:

• Water & fertilize wisely: Good watering habits and appropriate fertilization keep plants healthy and less prone to fires.
• Regular pruning & cleanup: Keeping your plants trimmed and your garden tidy reduces fire risks.
• Drip irrigation & mulching: Use drip irrigation for efficient watering and choose non-combustible mulch like rock to prevent fire hazards near your home.
• Avoid combustible mulches: Combustible mulches near the home create an additional fire risk (Quarles & Smith, 2008). Keep flammable mulches away from your home’s foundation to reduce the risk of ember ignition.
• Compost as a safer alternative: Mixing compost into the soil around plants is a less flammable option than combustible mulches.

Aging plants and pruning:

• Manage shedding: Regularly remove fallen leaves and branches, especially from aging plants, to prevent them from becoming fire fuel.
• Open structure pruning: Create an open growth structure through pruning to prevent fire from climbing plants.
• Height management: Keep an eye on plant height and prune as needed to maintain a manageable size and reduce fire spread potential.
• Pruning techniques: Apply proper pruning methods to train young trees from the start, including at planting, to ensure healthy and fire-resistant growth.