Defensible Space - You Can Save Your Home  

Your first defense against wildfire is to create and maintain a defensible space around your home. This does not mean your landscape must be barren. A defensible space is an area, either man-made or natural, where the vegetation is modified to slow the rate and intensity of an advancing wildfire. It also creates an area where fire suppression operations can occur (without risking the lives of firefighters) and helps protect the forest from a structure fire.

Developing your Defensible Space

Wildfire Hazards can be effectively reduced by following these defensible space guidelines. If you have further questions, please contact the fire department at 226-1482 for more information, or an on-site visit.

      The dimensions of a defensible space are subjective and depend on site characteristics, but typically a defensible space, on flat ground, extends a minimum of 75 feet around a home. This distance would be extended if the structure is located on a slope.

      Thin out continuous tree and brush cover around structures. The initial 15 to 30 feet around a structure should consist of an area in which all flammable vegetation is removed.

      Beyond the initial 15-30 feet, trees should be thinned to 10-12 foot crown spacing. Occasionally, clumps of 2 or 3 trees are acceptable for a more natural appearance if additional space surrounds them.

      Mow dry grass and weeds to a height of 6 inches or less for a distance of 30 feet (minimum) from all structures

      Prune tree branches within the defensible space up to a height of 10 feet above the ground.

      Dispose of all slash and debris left from thinning by either chipping or hauling away.

      Keep roofs (especially wood shingle) and gutters free of accumulated pine needles. This will eliminate an ignition source for firebrands, especially during hot, dry, and windy conditions

      Do not store fire wood stacks against structure or under/around decks. Clear away flammable vegetation within 10 feet of these wood piles. (Many homes have survived as a fire passed, only to burn later from a wood pile that ignited after the firefighters left!)

      Remove shrubs and small trees, or other potential “ladder fuels” from beneath large trees. Left in place, these fuels can carry a ground fire into the tree crowns.

      Trim branches which extend over roof eaves.

      Remove branches within 15 feet of chimneys.

      Place liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks and fuel storage containers at least 30 feet from structures. Clear flammable vegetation from within 10 feet of all such tanks.

Remember, after you have established your “defensible space”, you must maintain it regularly. If you have any questions about creating or maintaining defensible space around your home contact the fire department at (509) 226-1482 or the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.