What Is Defensible Space

Defensible Space is the area around a structure where combustible vegetation that can fuel wil fire a een cleare , reduced or replaced. This space acts as a barrier between a structure and an a ancing fire n anuary , California State law extended the defensible space clearance around ome an tructure rom eet to eet, w ic substantially increases the chance of your property ur i ing a wil fire T i law re uire t e Boar o Forestry and Fire Protection to develop the regulation for a new ember-resistant zone (Zone 0) within 0 to 5 feet of t e ome y anuary , T i ractice al o increa e firefig ter a ety uring wil lan fire

In order to successfully create defensible space around your property you need to learn about the three ifferent one t at mea ure rom eet out to t e feet from any building.

Diagram Courtesy of CalFire

Zone 0 – Ember Resistant Zone

one i efine a t e fir t fi e eet aroun your home. The strategy in this zone is to reduce the chance of wind-blown embers igniting materials near your ome C oo ing ro uct like rock, gra el an concrete an not toring firewoo /lum er or com u ti le i critical.

Zone 1 – Lean, Clean and Green Zone

one i fi e to t irty eet rom your ome, an the strategy is to create a landscape that will not rea ily tran mit fire to t e home. In this zone there should not be any shrubs un er tree , tree nee to e rune an remo e ea egetation Trailer /R ’ an com u ti le tructure should be removed from this zone or have a defensible space for several feet surrounding.

Zone 2 – Reduce Fuel Zone

n one , t e to 100 feet surrounding your ome, t e goal i to reduce the energy an ee o wil fire You must remove dead plant materials and tree ranc e , t in an e arate tree an ru , lim u tree an remo e shrubs that can serve as ladder fuel.

Understanding the three zones is extremely important for making sure you are prepared and is why our Defensible Space teams are here to assist in protecting your investment property. With a combination of 40+ years living and working in t e ig Sierra, lement i a D-49* licensed contractor with a team of professional firewi e lan ca e, e en i le ace an tree er ice e ert rea y to kee wil fire amage to a minimum For more information on creating defensible space contact us today to set up a consultation at (530) 5820300 or you can email us at: info@elmentsmtn.co.

*D-49 - Tree Service Contractor - California Code of

Regulation Title , i i ion , Article Cla ification A tree er ice contractor rune tree , remo e tree , limbs or stumps (including grinding) and engages in tree or limb guying.

Thanks to Jordan Brandt of Elements Mountain Company for writing this article. You can contact Jordan at 530.582.0300, jordanb@elementsmtn.co or www. elementsmtn.co.