Defensible space will help slow or stop the spread of wildfire and protect your home from catching fire – either from direct flame contact or radiant heat. Defensible space is also important to help protect firefighters when they are defending your home.
Your home may be the most valuable investment you ever make. If you live in a high-risk fire hazard area, protect against the chance of losing that investment by creating defensible space and "hardening" your home with fire-resistant construction materials and design.
Creating defensible space does not mean you need a ring of bare dirt around your home! Through proper planning, you can have both a beautiful landscape and a fire safe home.
Work with your neighbors
Many homes do not have 100’ of space between structures and parcel lines. Property owners are required to maintain defensible space to their property line. Work with neighbors to help provide defensible space for their homes, and ask neighbors for help if their property threatens yours. In most cases, the most effective solution is a cooperative approach between neighbors.
Remember that the most important zone is closest to your structures - from zero to five feet. If you’ve taken all of the steps outlined here and worked to “harden” your home, neighboring properties typically present only a minimal risk.
Work with neighbors or land managers to reduce fuel on nearby properties or create fuel breaks to help reduce the risk to your community. Contact your local Fire Department for help organizing your neighbors to create a Firewise USA© site. FIRESafe MARIN will help, too!