HOMEOWNERS DEFENSIBLE SPACE GUIDELINES FOR FIRE MITIGATION

External Structure Considerations

• Fire resistant roofing material
• Enclose or ‘hardyplank’ patios and decks
• Clean gutters and roof of debris
• Remove branches which overhang roofs and decks
• Place gravel or rock around structure for 3 feet
• Propane tanks at least 50 feet away
• Address signs clearly visible from the road

Zone 1

Defensible Space Guidelines – from structures to 30 feet out

Note: Some consider this to be 15 feet out but fire foresters prefer 30 feet.

• Remove all debris, slash, needles, leaves, dead branches and trees, etc.
• Remove all trees with canopies within 15 feet of the structure
• Prune trees within the space to at least 12 feet above ground
• Remove tall plants within 3-5 feet of structure
• Remove all plants directly beneath windows and vents
• Remove sagebrush and cut grass short
• Remove branches overhanging driveway
• Place wood for burning at least 50 feet away and uphill

Zone 2

Defensible Space Guidelines

Note: See Creating Wildfire-Defensible Zones for the definition of Zone 2 defensible space. It extends to at least 100 feet out from the structure if built on flat ground. If the house is on a hill the defensible space is shorter going uphill and on the sides and longer downhill. For example, if the home is on a 20% slope the minimum space is 90 feet uphill and to the sides and 104 feet downhill. If desired call Doug/Pat at +1 970 262 2055 for assistance in identifying Zone 2.

• Remove all slash, old wood stacks, fallen dead trees
• Remove standing dead trees
• Remove branches and ladder fuels to at least 8 feet
• Selective thinning to place crowns at least 15 feet apart

July 1, 2006

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