Every year, hundreds of homes and thousands of acres of property are destroyed by wildfire. Unfortunately, some of those losses are inevitable due to a combination of critical weather and fuel conditions that allow fast-moving fires to become nearly unstoppable. 

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But there are tools that can help. 

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This mistake is thinking each tool used individually can make a difference. It might, but the odds are against that happening. Using them together as part of a comprehensive fire protection plan provides the best odds for reducing the risk of wildfire destroying your property. What are they?

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• Creating defensible space
• Prescribed burning on your property
• House hardening
• External sprinkler system
• A QTAC fire skid on hand
• And of course, the training that goes along with all of these

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As defined by Cal Fire, defensible space is the buffer between your structure/property and the surrounding area. The rule of thumb is to have 100 feet around a property or home, which in turn creates a bigger barrier around your property and ensures that if conditions allow, firefighters will be able to better defend the area. 

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Defensible space is made by managing and maintaining plant life. 

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• Mowing grass
• Trimming tree branches
• Removing dead plants, leaves, and pine needles
• Clearing woodpiles
• Limiting combustible vegetation and planting fire-resistant species are all well-proven ways to protect your property.
• Consider refraining from planting large trees and bushes right next to your house or structure as well, but if you choose to do so, have proper spacing in between plants.
• Constructing and maintaining your house to withstand fires is another major tenet of defensible space, but we’ll write about that in a future blog. 

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The only way defensible space will be fully effective is if firefighters can defend your property. Ensure your driveway is marked and accessible to crews, clear around propane tanks, check that your hoses and faucets are visible, make accessways wide and navigable, and install lights for better visibility. All of these components aid firefighters and help better protect your property. 

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Defensible space is the first line of defense against wildfire, and when creating defensible space make sure to check your local regulations and any other specifications that your local government may advise or require.

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