What is defensible space?
Defensible space is an area around a home or structure that’s kept free of vegetation. Defensible space helps keep wildfires from reaching your home. Wildfires move extremely fast, so a 100 foot zone of defensible space will drastically increase the chance of your home surviving a wildfire.
Defensible space also provides a safe area for our firefighters to work in when we’re protecting homes during a wildfire.
What are my responsibilities as a homeowner?
California state law requires all homeowners to maintain a 100 foot defensible space zone around their house. If you own a vacant lot or land, you’re required to maintain a 30 to 150 foot defensible space zone around any structures near your neighbor’s property.
What else can I do to keep my home safe?
In addition to creating a defensible space zone, you can:
- Reduce the amount of fuel on your property. Doing so increases the chance that we can safely park a fire engine in your driveway, and our firefighters can work safely to protect your home.
- Use fire-resistant plants and hardscaping materials, like rocks, walls, or gravel paths.
- Use landscaping tools safely. Mow your lawn before 10 am. Never mow on a hot or windy day. Using a string trimmer is safer than using a lawnmower with a metal blade.
- Never use power tools outside when a Red Flag Warning is in effect.