Defensible space
Defensible space is a buffer zone between your house and the surrounding vegetation that protects your home from being burned by a wildfire. It also helps to slow the spread of a fire.
If you live in a fire hazard zone, you may be required to have a Defensible Space Inspection.
You can obtain a Defensible Space Inspection by completing the Defensible Space Inspection request form. The inspection can be arranged within three weeks of submitting the request.
The County Fire Department will send you notices about decreasing hazards on your property. The notifications will include the Defensible Space requirements.
Remove dead branches and leaves close to the ground for the best protection. Also, remove wood piles from your property. They should be moved to an area at least 100 feet away.
Fuel treatment
Fuel treatment is a fire mitigation strategy that can help reduce the likelihood and severity of wildfires. Treatments include removing hazardous fuels and thinning vegetation. Combined with other Fire Mitigation Services Bay Area services, fuel treatments can improve fire response and reduce the risk of loss to property, people, and natural resources.
To make fuel treatment effective, a few essential factors must be considered. First, if the treatments are not properly distributed, they will not be as effective as they could be. Second, the effects of the fuel treatments will diminish as vegetation grows back. Third, if the treatment is not placed strategically, it may not work as well as it could. Lastly, timing is an important consideration.
The primary research addressing how fuel treatments affect wildfire behavior at the landscape level has been analyzed in three distinct categories. The first, the model-based study, uses computer modeling techniques to simulate the effectiveness of fuel treatments at the landscape scale.
Preventing embers from escaping and igniting a fire
If you have a fireplace, you need to know how to prevent embers from escaping and igniting a fire. Even if you do not have a fireplace, make your home more fire-resistant. There are many ways you can do this.
The first step you should take is to install a spark guard in your chimney. It will prevent hot embers from escaping and igniting your roof.
Another way to prevent embers from escaping and starting a fire is to ensure that you have fire-rated windows and doors. These should be double-paned to reduce the chance of breakage.
Consider putting up a retaining wall depending on the material your house is made of. A stone or heavy wood retaining wall can help create a defensible space.
Preventing a fire from spreading along your fence
If you live in a region prone to wildfires, you need to take steps to protect your home from the threat of a fire. One way to do this is by maintaining a defensible space around your home. It can slow down the spread of a fire and prevent it from igniting your home.
It’s also possible to make your home resistant to wildfires by purchasing precast concrete. These can provide a sound barrier against fire and don’t have to be replaced after a fire.
In addition to precast concrete, you can make your home more fire-resistant by installing a non-combustible fence. A fence should be made of non-flammable material and placed within five feet of your home.
You should also remove dead and dying trees and limbs. Ideally, these should be at least six feet from the ground.
