Fire Fuel and Fire Fuel Reduction
A guide to Firewise principles
When it comes to wildfire risk, it is not a geographical location, but a set of conditions that determine the home’s ignition potential in any community.
Assembly Bill 3074, passed into law in 2020,
requires a third zone for defensible space.
This law requires the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to develop the regulation for
a new ember-resistant zone (Zone 0)
within 0 to 5 feet of the home
by January 1, 2023.
WILDFIRE DOESN’T HAVE TO BURN everything in its path. In fact, cleaning your property of debris and maintaining your landscaping are important first steps to helping minimize damage and loss. The work you do today can make a difference. Follow these simple action steps now and throughout the year to prepare and help reduce the risk of your home and property becoming fuel for a wildfire:
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A home’s ignition risk is determined by its immediate surroundings or its “home ignition zone” and the home’s construction materials.
According to fire science research and case studies, it’s not where a home is located that necessarily determines ignition risk, but the landscape around it, often referred to as the “home ignition zone.” The home ignition zone is defined as the home and its immediate surroundings up to 200 feet (60 m)
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Home Zone: Harden your home against wildfire.
This includes fences, decks, porches and other attachments. From the point of view of a fire, if it’s attached to the house it is a part of the house. Non-flammable or low flammability construction materials—especially for roofs, siding and windows—are recommended for new homes or retrofits. Keep any flammables, including plantings and mulch out of the area within 5 feet of your home’s perimeter.
Zone 1: This well-irrigated area encircles the structure for at least 30 feet on all sides including decks and fences, and provides space for fire suppression equipment in the event of an emergency. Lawns should be well maintained and mowed. Plantings should be limited to carefully-spaced low flammability species. In particularly fire prone areas, non-flammable mulch should be considered.
Zone 2: This area encircles 30 – 100 feet from the home. Low flammability plant materials should be used here. Plants should be low-growing and the irrigation system should extend into this section. Shrubs and trees should be limbed up and spaced to prevent crowns of trees from touching.
Zone 3: This area encompasses 100 – 200 feet from the home. Place low-growing plants and well-spaced trees in this area, remembering to keep the volume of vegetation (fuel) low.
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Zone 4: This furthest zone from the structure is a natural area. Selectively prune and thin all plants and remove highly flammable vegetation.
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What is the home ignition zone?
Firewise tips checklist for homeowners
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Clear leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves, porches and decks. This prevents embers from igniting your home.
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Remove dead vegetation from under your deck and within 10 feet of the house.
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Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.
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Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
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Remove flammable materials (firewood stacks, propane tanks, dry vegetation) within 30 feet of your home’s foundation and outbuildings, including garages and sheds. If it can catch fire, don’t let it touch your house, deck or porch.
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Wildfire can spread to tree tops. If you have trees on your property, prune so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet from the ground.
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Keep your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, cut it down to reduce fire intensity. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire.
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Don’t let debris and lawn cuttings linger. Dispose of these items quickly to reduce fuel for fire.
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Inspect shingles or roof tiles. Replace or repair those that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration.
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Cover exterior attic vents with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent sparks from entering the home.
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Enclose under-eave and soffit vents or screen with metal mesh to prevent ember entry.
