Defensible Space

Take Action to Prepare Your Home & Property for Wildfire

WHAT IS DEFENSIBLE SPACE?

Defensible Space is the area around a structure where combustible vegetation that can spread fire has been cleared, reduced or replaced.  This space acts as a barrier between a structure and an advancing fire.

You need to clear combustible vegetation in a 100-foot radius from any structure.  Your local fire agency may require you to clear additional vegetation by a written letter.  You are not required to cross your property line in order to clear the 100 feet.  The neighboring property owner may be required to clear the additional distance by the fire agency

Take Action to Prepare Your Home and Property

  • Zone 0

    Ember Resistant Zone extends from zero to five feet from structures. This includes the building itself. 

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  • Zone 1

    5-30 feet Lean, Clean & Green Zone. This zone begins five feet from your house and extends to 30 feet away. 

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  • Zone 2

    30-100 feet - Fuel Reduction Zone lies beyond the home defense zone, 100+ feet from the house or to your property line.

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  • Zone 3

    30-10 ft. horizontally and 14 ft. vertically from roads/driveways Zone is adjacent to roads/driveways, 14 feet overhead and 10 feet from the edge.

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  • Zone 4

    100-200 feet+ Zone is area shared with neighbors and/or land management agencies. 100-200+ feet.

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Sustainable Defensible Space

  • Sustainable Defensible Space is the area focusing on the first 100 feet around your home. It aims to increase resistance of structures to wildfire, safeguard firefighters’ lives, improve conservation values and protect California’s natural heritage.

  • It starts with the home and the use of fire-resistant materials and architectural features.

  • It extends beyond the home with well-maintained fire-wise landscape to reduce ignition risk and slow fire-spread. (Photo by Foundation Landscape Design)

  • It promotes and supports native vegetation and wildlife, and local ecosystems.

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LA County Plant List
Invasive Plant Education

Palisades Forestery Committee

Palisades Forestry Website
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    • .Zone 0 (0-5 feet - Immediate Zone): Remove all combustible materials, including wood mulch, stored items, and plants directly against siding or under windows. Replace with gravel, pavers, or concrete.

    • Zone 1 (5-30 feet - Occupied Zone): Create space between shrubs and trees to prevent fire laddering. Use low-growing, hydrated, and well-maintained plants.

    • Zone 2 (30-100 feet - Extended Zone): Reduce fuel density by thinning trees and shrubs, creating "islands" of vegetation rather than a continuous, dense landscape.

    • Maintenance: Regularly clean roofs, gutters, and decks of debris. Remove dead or dry vegetation and prune branches that overhang roofs

      • Remove ALL vegetation, trees including overhanging branches, grass/turf, wood/rubber mulch, and any combustible stored items within 5 feet of the structure.

      • Routinely clear vegetation debris in the Five Foot Buffer

      • Roofs: Routinely clear tree debris from roof and gutters

      • Decks: Routinely clear tree debris, replace combustible furniture, & maintain the under deck area

      • Yard: Regularly clear debris, pruned and spaced trees/vegetation, move firewood & large propane tanks to 30+ feet

      • Place structures at least 10 feet away and maintain the 5-foot noncombustible buffer around them.