defensible space
What is it?
Defensible space is basically your yard, or the area from the wall of your house, porch or deck going out to 100 feet or more. How many plants -- trees, shrubs, grass, flowers -- how they are spaced out and whether they are limbed up or have dead branches makes a difference in how fire burns. Less, more widely spaced and well maintained plants makes the flames lower and embers less likely to start fires.
Why do it?
Good defensible space is safer for firefighters, and easier for them to defend your home. There may not be firefighters at every home -- including your home. Good defensible space gives your home a fighting chance of making it on its own!
Marin County Firewise Website - Excellent Source - Create a Fire Smart Yard
Defensible Space - the Basics
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ReadyforWildfire.org – Cal Fire - Building a Fire-Ready Future
Zone Zero - 0 to 5 feet from your home, deck or porch
- Wildfire Defensible Space: Zone Zero – Video from Fire Safe Marin
- How to make a good Zone 0 - Video from Fire Safe Marin
Defensible Space Beyond the Property Line
Fences and Mulch
- Wildfire Hazards in Residential Fences and Mulch Beds National Institute of Standards and Technology
Driveways as Defensible Space
- A Driveway is Defensible Space – Nevada County Driveway Construction Standards
- Roadside Clearance Regulations
Landscaping
All plants burn. But some choices are better than others.
- Fire-Smart Landscaping PDF from Cal Fire
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Wildfire Resistant Planting Websites
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Landscaping for Wildfire Defense- Master Gardener Cathé Fish
- Landscaping – What to plant – Video by Sheri Brown Dion
Maintaining Defensible Space
- Learning about Prescribed Burns – Nevada County Resource Conservation District
Advice from Firewise Community Leaders:
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Defensible Space Brush Clearing - Video, Marty Main, Former South County FWC leader, 2018
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Looks Good vs Dangerous Mess – Video, Jeff Peach, 2021