Defensible space is an area around your home that is cleared of flammable materials reducing the risk of wildfire damage. It is important to create defensible space around your home, even if you live in an area that is not considered to be at high fire risk.
This space serves as a barrier to slow down or even halt the spread of the fire and contributes to the safety of the firefighters protecting your home.
There are several things you can do to create defensible space around your home, like:
- Removing trees & shrubs that are within 10 feet of your home.
- Mowing your lawn regularly.
- Raking leaves and pine needles.
- Removing dead or diseased trees and shrubs.
- Creating a firebreak around your home by clearing a strip of land of all flammable materials.
Defensible space can help to protect your home from wildfires by creating a barrier between your home and the fire. It can help slow the spread of the fire, giving you more time to evacuate if necessary.
To learn more about defensible space, visit the website of your local fire department or the National Fire Protection Association.