Laboratory testing and post-fire investigations have consistently shown that removing all combustible materials from this 5-foot zone is the most effective defensible space action homeowners can take to reduce the risk of home ignition. Without vegetation, combustible mulch, wood fences, outdoor furniture, or other fuels immediately adjacent to the home, embers have little to ignite, flames are less likely to spread to the structure, and radiant heat from nearby burning materials is less likely to cause ignition. 

Because firefighters may not be able to reach every home immediately during a wildfire, a home should be prepared to withstand ember exposure and nearby flames on its own. The goal is not just to stop embers. It is to eliminate anything next to the home that could become a source of flames. 

While wildfire science continues to advance, today’s research provides clear guidance: maintaining a fully noncombustible Zone 0 around your home is one of the most effective, science-based wildfire mitigation strategies available. Whether you’re a homeowner, property manager, HOA, or community leader, creating and maintaining this noncombustible zone is a critical step toward improving a home’s ability to withstand a wildfire.