The individual home is the smallest unit of fire defense. It is also where the resident has the most control.

The individual can also impact the local/neighborhood scale through working with their HOA and neighbors, and the regional scale through working with their municipalities. Please check out those tabs above to learn more about how to help on a greater scale!

Three home zones.

Zone 0

1. Clear all plant material from the area
2. Use only non-combustible materials
3. Clear all limbs from a radius of 10’ of the chimney
4. Remove all potential fuel sources such as furniture and tools during fire threats
Zone 1

1. Remove all dead vegetation
2. Do not place shrubs <10’ from the edge of trees in order to prevent the fire from climbing and growing.
3. Provide adequate spacing between trees (details below)
zone 2

1. Keep grass <4” tall
2. Remove debris when possible
3. Provide a 10’ radius around outbuildings, utilities, and wood piles
4. Provide adequate space between trees and shrubs (details below)

Planting distance

<20% Slope:

trees - 10’ apart

shrubs - height x2

20-40% Slope:

trees - 20’ apart

shrubs - height x4

>40% Slope:

trees - 30’ apart

shrubs - height x6

The ladder effect: Fire travels from brush, up trees, and eventually to roofs of homes, spreading faster.

Material Recommendations

Agave spp.

All plants in areas with high occurrence of fire should be high moisture and low and slow growing.
Rhododendron spp.

Further, they should create little to no litter so that fire does not spread quickly if it occurs.
Phlox sublata

Finally, these planting should not contain volatile oils.
Retaining wall

Slows the spread of the flames.
Gravel Mulch

Traditional mulch is composed of wood, a highly flammable material.
Path By house

A non-flammable surface surrounding the house makes it more difficult for flames to access the structure.