05/13/2026
As temperatures rise and fire season approaches, now is the time to make your property Firewise and harden your home against wildfire. Small actions taken today can make a major difference when embers and fire threaten your home.
🔥 Start with the Immediate Zone (0–5 feet from your home)
This is the most critical area to address. Science shows the home itself and the first 0–5 feet around it are the most vulnerable to embers. This area should be non-combustible whenever possible.
• Clean roofs and gutters of leaves, pine needles, and debris
• Repair loose shingles or roof tiles that could allow ember entry
• Install 1/8” metal mesh screening on vents and under eaves
• Repair damaged window screens and broken windows
• Remove combustible materials like mulch, firewood, leaves, and flammable plants from around the home
• Clear debris and stored materials from under decks and porches
• Screen or box-in areas beneath decks and patios to prevent ember accumulation
🌲 Intermediate Zone (5–30 feet)
This zone focuses on reducing fire intensity and slowing fire spread through landscaping and spacing.
• Keep grass and native vegetation mowed to 4 inches or less
• Remove ladder fuels so fire cannot climb into tree canopies
• Prune trees 6–10 feet from the ground when appropriate
• Space tree crowns at least 18 feet apart, more on steeper slopes
• Ensure mature trees are no closer than 10 feet to structures
• Use driveways, walkways, patios, and rock landscaping as fuel breaks
• Clear vegetation around propane tanks
• Break up continuous vegetation with small clusters of shrubs and trees rather than dense coverage
🔥 Extended Zone (30–100+ feet)
The goal in this zone is to interrupt fire’s path and keep flames lower and less intense.
• Remove dead trees, brush, and heavy ground litter
• Remove small conifers growing beneath mature trees
• Clear vegetation near sheds and outbuildings
• Maintain spacing between tree canopies
• Trees 30–60 feet from the home should have 12 feet between canopy tops
• Trees 60–100 feet from the home should have 6 feet between canopy tops
Wildfires are already spreading quickly across the region, and preparation now can help protect your home, your family, and first responders. Creating defensible space is one of the most effective ways to improve your property’s chances of surviving a wildfire.
