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Wildfire » Projects » Moderate risk area – creating a survivable space around your home or business

Moderate risk area – creating a survivable space around your home or business

An ideal survivable space will include three zones creating a modified landscape extending a total of 100 feet from the house. If the property is not large enough for three, the furthest zone should be a slightly modified natural area.
  • Establish a well-irrigated zone that extends a minimum of 30 feet from your home or business on all sides.
    • Maintain a reduced amount of vegetation and limit plantings to carefully spaced indigenous species that are low growing.
    • Keep 10 feet between your home or business and any tree limbs. Trim dead and dying limbs as needed.
    • Space tree plantings 10 feet apart.
    • For trees taller than 18 feet, prune lower branches within 6 feet of the ground.
  • In the second zone:
    • Your irrigation system should also extend into this area.
    • Place low-growing plants, shrubs and carefully spaced trees in this area.
    • Maintain a reduced amount of vegetation.
  • In the third or furthest zone:
    • Thin selected trees.
    • Remove highly flammable vegetation such as dead or dying trees and shrubs.