Fire Safety & Prevention: What is Defensible Space?

Defensible Space is an area around your home or other structures, which can be natural or man-made where the vegetation and trees have been modified and maintained so to slow the rate and intensity of an advancing wild land fire. This space also provides an area for firefighters to work and can help to protect the forest from becoming involved in the flame should a structure fire occur.
Severe wildfire hazards exist on most forested building sites. Many can be effectively reduced by following these defensible space guidelines developed by the Colorado State Forest Service. Follow the guidelines below.

1. Thin out continuous tree and

 brush cover around structures. The initial 15 feet around a structure should consist of an area in which all flammable vegetation has been removed. Beyond the initial 15 feet, the trees should be thinned to 10 - 12 foot crown spacing. Occasionally, clumps of 2 or 3 trees are permitted for natural effects if more space surrounds them. The dimensions of a defensible space are subjective, site specific and dependent on site characteristics.
2.  Dispose of all debris left from thinning by either chipping, hauling away or by piling and burning.
3.  Remove dead limbs, leaves and other ground litter within the defensible space.
4.  Stack firewood uphill or on a contour and at least 15 feet from your home.
5.  Maintain a greenbelt immediately around your home using grass, flower gardens, or ornamental shrubbery. An alternative is rock or other noncombustible material; avoid bark or wood chip mulch in this area.
6.  Mow dry grass and weeds to a height of 6 inches or less for a distance of 30 feet.
7.  Prune branches from trees within the defensible space to a height of 10 feet above the ground fuels. Also remove shrubs and small trees, or other potential "ladder" fuels from beneath large trees; left in place, these can carry a ground fire into the tree crowns.
Trim branches which extend over eaves of roofs. Remove branches within 15 feet of a chimney.
8.  Clean roof and gutters of pine needles and leaves to eliminate an ignition source for firebrands, especially during the hot, dry weather of the fire season.
 
Keep in mind that by reducing the density of the surrounding forest and vegetation at least 100 feet out from your structure, if possible, is desired, taking any of the above steps gives your home some protection against wildfire.  Call me for information should you wish to be more proactive by installing an affordable roof top sprinkler system to further protect your happy home.