Reducing Fire Risk with Defensible Space

Wildfires are an ever-present threat in California, making proactive measures essential to protect your home and property. One of the most effective ways to reduce fire risk is by creating defensible space — a buffer zone between your property and the surrounding vegetation. At Newcomb Tree Experts, Inc., we’re dedicated to helping homeowners implement effective defensible space solutions in El Dorado County, including Placerville, Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, and surrounding areas, as well as the Bay Area.

What is Defensible Space?

Defensible space is a strategic area surrounding your property where vegetation and flammable materials are managed to reduce the spread of wildfires. By maintaining this space, you can slow the progression of a fire and give firefighters a safer environment to protect your home.

California law requires property owners to maintain defensible space within 100 feet of buildings or to the property line, whichever is closer. However, ensuring compliance and optimizing your property’s fire safety requires expert knowledge and proper execution.

How Defensible Space Protects Your Home

Creating defensible space significantly increases your home’s chances of surviving a wildfire. Here’s how it works:

1. Reduces Fire Intensity: Removing flammable materials and thinning vegetation diminishes the fuel available for fires.

2. Slows Fire Spread: Breaks in vegetation help slow the fire’s advance, giving emergency responders more time to act.

3. Enhances Firefighter Safety: Properly maintained defensible space makes it easier for firefighters to defend your home effectively.

4. Prevents Embers from Igniting Structures: Clearing away dead plants, dry leaves, and other debris reduces the risk of airborne embers sparking a fire.

Zones of Defensible Space

California’s defensible space regulations divide the area into three zones:

• Zone 0: The Immediate Zone (0-5 feet from structures) Start closest to your home to be ember-resistant:

  • Use hardscape like gravel, pavers, or concrete. No combustible bark or mulch.

  • Remove all dead and dying plants, weeds, and debris (leaves, needles, etc.) from your roof, gutter, deck, porch, stairways, and under any areas of your home.

  • Remove all branches within 10 feet of any chimney or stovepipe outlet.

  • Limit combustible items (like outdoor furniture and planters) on top of decks.

  • Relocate firewood and lumber to Zone 2.

  • Replace combustible fencing, gates, and arbors attached to the home with noncombustible alternatives.

  • Consider relocating garbage and recycling containers outside this zone.

  • Consider relocating boats, RVs, vehicles, and other combustible items outside this zone.

• Zone 1: The Intermediate Zone (5-30 feet from structures) Keep it Lean, Clean, and Green within 30 feet:

  • Remove all dead plants, grass, and weeds.

  • Remove dead or dry leaves and pine needles.

  • Trim trees regularly to keep branches a minimum of 10 feet from other trees.

  • Create a separation between trees, shrubs, and items that could catch fire, such as patio furniture, wood piles, swing sets, etc.

• Zone 2: The Extended Zone (30-100 feet from structures) Reduce Potential Fuel Within 100 feet:

  • Cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of four inches.

  • Create horizontal space between shrubs and trees. (See diagram)

  • Create vertical space between grass, shrubs and trees. (See diagram)

  • Remove fallen leaves, needles, twigs, bark, cones, and small branches. However, they may be permitted to a depth of three inches.

  • Keep 10 feet of clearance around exposed wood piles, down to bare mineral soil, in all directions.

  • Clear areas around outbuildings and propane tanks. Keep 10 feet of clearance to bare mineral soil and no flammable vegetation for an additional 10 feet around their exterior.​