In both rural and urban environments, fuel for wildfires can be any combustible material, including live and dead vegetation, wood products like fences and stairs, and petroleum products such as lawn furniture, artificial turf, and garbage cans. Even a well-hydrated “green” plants can burn with the right amount of heat or flame exposure.
Once ignited, these materials can create a direct fire path toward a house. There can be both horizontal and vertical paths. Grass or mulch can provide horizontal continuity between shrubs or other combustible materials, increasing their likelihood of ignition. On the other hand, once the fire “climbs up” from the ground, for example from grass igniting a fence, or from a fence to an eave, it can reach a building by using this vertical path. The risk of fire spreading to your house can be significantly reduced by removing these potential fire paths, for example by increasing the spacing between vegetation and removing “ladder fuels” (combustible materials creating a vertical path). Embers can directly land near the house or fall from the roof, creating additional fire paths in the immediate surroundings.
Creating defensible space involves the careful selection, location, and maintenance of vegetation and other combustible materials near structures provide defense from an approaching wildfire burning or to minimize the spread of a structure fire to wildlands or surrounding areas. By focusing on the placement and maintenance of vegetation and combustibles, you can create a fire-smart landscape that incorporates elements of beauty, safety, and privacy.
When it comes to wildfire preparedness, working from the house outward is key. In addition to structure hardening, develop and implement a three-zone defensible space strategy that prioritizes protecting the areas closest to the home. Start by assessing your situation and identifying potential risks and solutions by using the resources below.
Implement Defensible Space
Learn how to design and implement an effective defensible space strategy around your home.
Right Plant, Right Place, Right Care
Discover how to improve the fire resilience of landscaping plants through the use of routine maintenance.
Learn How to Care For Trees
Determine how to care for trees in your near-home landscaping to improve their health and fire resilience.
Understand the Role of Mulches
Learn about the combustion characteristics of different types of mulches used in near-home landscaping.
Additional Resources
Check out these defensible space-related resources from UC ANR Fire Network Members and our colleagues!