Defensible Space

The Non-Combustible Zone

Your immediate home perimeter must be fire-proof. This critical zone requires the most aggressive vegetation management.

Clear all flammable plants, including shrubs and ground cover

Eliminate mulch, slash piles, pine needles, and dead vegetation

Relocate firewood storage and combustible materials elsewhere

Trim tree branches at least 10 feet from all structures

Clean roofs and gutters of accumulated debris and pine needles

The "Lean, Clean & Green" Zone

Maintain healthy, well-spaced vegetation that won't fuel rapid fire spread.

Keep grass mowed to 4 inches or shorter

Space tree canopies at least 10 feet apart

Prune lower tree branches 6-10 feet up (or one-third tree height, whichever is less)

Remove "ladder fuels" that create pathways from ground to tree canopy

Eliminate dead, diseased, or stressed plants and branches

Clear heavy accumulations of logs, branches, slash, and mulch

Position shrubs 2½ times their mature height apart, minimum 10 feet from trees

Small tree clusters permitted if properly spaced

The Wildland Fuel Reduction Zone

Reduce fire intensity and slow its approach toward your home.

Maintain 6-12 feet between tree canopies

Remove ladder fuels connecting ground vegetation to tree crowns

Clear out dead, diseased, or declining vegetation and branches

Remove heavy surface fuel loads like logs and slash piles

Position propane tanks and firewood storage 30+ feet from structures

Maintain 10-foot clearance around fuel storage areas

During wildfire events, everything becomes potential fuel—your landscaping, vehicles, outdoor furniture, and structures. Fire-resistant landscaping design minimizes these hazards while maintaining your property's beauty.

Strategic plant selection, proper spacing, and ongoing maintenance create landscapes that resist ignition and slow fire progression. Well-designed fire-wise landscaping often requires less water and maintenance than traditional designs.