The most common hazards are having flammable mulch, plants, firewood, patio furniture, decks and fences. These items have been a major reason homes burned in many wildfires, including the Camp fire 2018 which destroyed much of Paradise, California and the Waldo Canyon Fire 2012 near Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Replacing mulch with gravel or pavers and having only short, sparse plants that do not touch the house can help reduce the risk.
wooden covers Fences can burn even if they are well maintained. Replacing them with nonflammable materials or installing a thin sheet of metal on the house where the siding touches a wooden deck or fence can help protect the house. Insect screens can prevent debris and embers from building up under the deck.
Zone 2: 5 to 30 feet away: In the next ring, between 5 and 30 feet from the house, the grass should be green and short. This is zone 2.
Be sure to rake up pine needles and leaves and take care to prune lower tree branches to at least 6 feet high.
On a flat slope, there should be approximately 18 feet of space between trees and the space should increase with the slope, as steeper terrain causes faster and more intense fires. Paths, walkways, patios, decks, and firewood can be maintained in this area.
Zone 3: 30 to 100 feet away: Beyond Zone 2 and up to about 100 feet from the house is Zone 3. In this area, be sure to give sheds and propane tanks their own defensible space, as well as around the house, and prune all low-hanging branches to 6 feet.
You can contact your local emergency management office or a nonprofit community wildfire organization for more information about grant funding that can offset the costs of pruning and removing trees on a forested property.
