Cal Fire Ready Set Go Brochure Final Files-V4-PRINT - Flipbook - Page 8
DEFENSIBLE
SPACE
Creating and maintaining Defensible Space is essential to
reducing the impact of wildfire on your home and property.
Defensible Space is the buffer created between a building
on your property and the plants, brush, trees, or other
combustible items in the near vicinity. This buffer helps to
keep wildfire away from your home by reducing the fire’s
intensity and slowing or halting the spread of wildfire. The
less there is to burn near your home, the less exposure your
home will have to wildfire. Creating this space also provides
protection for the firefighters defending your home.
CREATING AND MAINTAINING
YOUR DEFENSIBLE SPACE
Within the 100-foot perimeter of a home, there is a need
for more intense reduction of wildfire fuels. Start at the
home and work your way out 100 feet or to your property
line, whichever is closer.
KNOW THE LAW - BE FIRE SMART
One hundred feet of Defensible Space is required under the Public
Resources Code (PRC) 4291. Zones 1 and 2 currently make up the
100 feet of Defensible Space required by law. Assembly Bill 3074,
passed into law in 2020, requires an ignition-resistant Zone 0 for
Defensible Space.
Many local government agencies have ordinances for Defensible Space.
These local ordinances will often be more stringent than the state of
California’s minimum requirement in PRC 4291. Check with your local
fire department or fire protection district for any additional Defensible
Space requirements. fire.ca.gov/dspace
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Zone 0 extends from zero to five
feet from buildings, structures,
decks, etc.
1.
Use hardscape like gravel, pavers,
concrete, and other noncombustible mulch
materials. No combustible bark or mulch.
2.
Remove all dead and dying weeds,
grass, branches, and vegetative debris.
Check your roofs, gutters, decks, porches,
stairways, etc.
3.
Remove all branches within 10 feet
of any chimney or stovepipe outlet.
4.
Limit plants in this area to low growing,
nonwoody, properly watered, and
maintained plants.
5.
Limit combustible items (outdoor furniture,
planters, etc.) on top of decks.
6.
Relocate firewood and lumber to Zone 2.
7.
Replace within Zone 0 combustible
fencing, gates, and arbors attached to
the home with noncombustible alternatives.
