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Create a Wildfire-Resistant Yard with Defensible Space

The leading cause of homes lost to wildfire are ignited by embers. Embers can travel miles ahead of an active wildfire; therefore, we need to think about defensible space. Defensible space is the buffer zone you create around homes and structures. It involves modifying the surrounding vegetation and landscape such as grass, trees, shrubs and wildland area to create a more fire-resistant environment. When defensible space is thoughtfully created and well-maintained, it will increase the likelihood your home will survive a wildfire.

Create A Wildfire–Resistant Yard 

A guide to modify your vegetation and landscape which creates a home buffer zone from wildfire.  

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Critical Home Prep
Exterior Home Upgrades
Wildfire-Resistant Yard
Home Evacuation Steps

Zone 0 (Noncombustible Zone): 0-5 Feet

It is crucial to establish a clear, noncombustible zone that extends 5 feet out from the exterior walls of your home or any nearby structures.  This noncombustible area should also be created around attached decks, patios, covered porches and stairs. By implementing this zone, you can significantly reduce potential for ignition. 

During a wildfire, embers can travel miles ahead of a fire front and accumulate at the base of your home’s exterior walls and within the first 5 feet. Anything combustible in this critical zone acts as a fuel source for ignition, increasing the risk of flames spreading to your home.

How to create a 5-foot noncombustible buffer

  1. Remove all vegetation and groundcover in the first 5 feet
    • Remove all vegetation, grass, weeds, shrubs, plants, trees, etc.
    • Remove bark mulch, pine straw, rubber mulch, or other combustible ground covers.
    • Trim back branches that overhang the 5-foot area.
    • Do not allow vines to grow on buildings, fences, or other structures within 5 feet of the building.
  2. Install 5-feet of hardscape around your home
    • Install hard groundcover material such as gravel, pavers, river rocks, steppingstones, or concrete.
    • Install 5 feet of hard groundcover surrounding any decks or covered porches, including under the stairs.
  3. Replace combustible fencing within 5 feet
    • Replace any wood or plastic fencing and gates located within 5 feet of the home with a noncombustible fence, such as metal (aluminum or chain link).
  4. Maintain the 5-foot Home Ignition Zone
    • Routinely clear tree debris, weeds, grass, and dead plant material.
    • Do not park or store any vehicles, boats, RVs, or ATVs within 5 feet of the home. Ideally, store these items in a closed garage or park them at least 30 feet away from the home.
    • Do not store anything combustible such as firewood, potted plants, outdoor furniture, trash cans, pet houses, lawn tools, children’s playsets, etc., in this zone.

Zone 1 - Extend your Defensible Space: 5-30 Feet

Choosing a limited selection of well-spaced, fire-resistant plants can look good and be easy to maintain, as well as slow the spread of wildfire to your home.

Embers blown from miles away can easily start spot fires around your home. Creating and maintaining defensible space on your property will slow the spread of fire and reduce flame intensity near your home. By spacing out bushes and trees, you are removing ladder fuels that allow fire spread and reducing the intensity of a fire near your home.

How to eliminate fire pathways to your home

  1. Clear yard debris
    • Maintain your yard by routinely clearing tree debris such as leaves and pine needles. Make sure areas around fences and underneath gates are clear of debris, as this is another area where embers can collect.
    • Remove dead vegetation, including piles from pruning and firewood. Firewood should be stored 30 feet from any structures and/or cover it with a fire-resistant cover.
  2. Trim trees
    • Remove any tree branches less than 6 feet above the ground.
    • Trim upper branches of trees to ensure at least 10 feet of space between the canopies of neighboring trees.
    • Work with your neighbors to address trees near the property line that affect both properties.
  3. Shrubs
    • Choose low growing, fire-resistant plants.
    • Relocate any shrubs located under or near trees.
    • Keep low-growing bushes and shrubs spaced out or in small groupings (no more than 3 shrubs) that will result in a discontinuous path of vegetation.
    • Remove any hedges or rows of bushes that will create more fuel and a pathway for fire to reach your home.
  4. Maintain small structures near your home (i.e., sheds, pergolas, and playsets)
    • Place structures at least 10 feet away from the home.
    • Create a 5-foot Noncombustible Zone around each structure. 
    • Ensure there is a minimum of 6 vertical inches (measured from the ground up) of noncombustible siding material at the base of each structure or any horizontal surfaces such as a wooden playset, just as you would for your home. For an elevated structure like a shed, enclose the base with no larger than 1/8-inch or finer metal wire mesh.
    • If you have multiple structures, such as a shed and playset, ensure these structures are spaced at least 10 feet apart. Have at most 3 of these structures within 30 feet.

Zone 2 - Reduce Fuels: 30-100 Feet

Maintaining vegetation within 100 feet of the home or to the property line will help reduce the intensity of a wildfire and slow its advance toward your home.

Wind-blown embers and flames can easily ignite and burn quickly through fuels like trees, shrubs, tall grasses, and tree debris, especially when these fuels are on a slope in dry, drought-like conditions. A steeper slope yields a faster-moving fire with longer flame lengths. In Zone 2, tree and shrub spacing should force any potential fire in the tops of the trees, brush, or shrubs to drop to the ground.

How to reduce fuel to reduce fire spread:

  1. Clear landscaping debris
    • Cut tall grasses to a height of 4 inches or shorter.
    • Remove dead vegetation such as tree limbs, leaves, and pine needles, including piles from pruning on a regular maintenance schedule.
    • Clear grass, weeds, and other vegetation to bare earth from a 10-foot area surrounding propane tanks.
  2. Trim trees
    • Remove tree branches less than 6 feet above the ground.
    • Trim tree canopies to ensure at least 10 feet of horizontal spacing between trees. Increase the spacing for trees on a slope.
    • Work with your neighbors to address trees near the property line that affect both properties.
    • Ask your power company to remove branches that are near power lines. Never attempt to do this job yourself.
  3. Shrubs
    • Remove any shrubs located under or near trees.
    • Keep bushes and shrubs spaced out or in small groupings (no more than 3 shrubs) that will result in a discontinuous path of vegetation.

Critical Home Prep

These fundamental, critical steps serve as a starting point before progressing to the next set of actions. If you’re ready, proceed to Exterior Home Upgrades.

Exterior Home Upgrades

After addressing the critical prep, this group of larger home improvements will give your home additional levels of protection. 

Wildfire-Resistant Yard

When defensible space is thoughtfully created and well-maintained, it will increase the likelihood your home will survive a wildfire. 

Home Evacuation Steps

When wildfire may threaten and time allows, follow these last-minute steps to protect your home. 

Wildfire Prepared Home

If you reside in California and have completed all critical home prep, you can apply for a designation to receive a certificate to show your insurer.