by Liz Morrison

The devastating wildfires of 2003 and 2007 have only reinforced to Southern California homeowners the importance of making our homes fire-safe. In January 2005, a new state law became effective that extended the defensible space clearance around homes and structures from 30 feet to 100 feet. Proper clearance to 100 feet dramatically increases the chance of your house surviving a wildfire. This defensible space also provides for firefighter safety when they are protecting homes during a wildfire.

But proper landscape maintenance is only one of the many ways to protect your property. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has provided a homeowner’s checklist to help you stay safe in the event of a wildfire. Here is an abbreviated version:

Access
• Ensure that address numbers and street signs are visible
• Identify at least two exit routes
• Make sure your address is accessible to emergency personnel

Roof
• Install a fire resistant roof
• Remove dead leaves and branches from roof and gutters
• Cover chimney outlet with non-flammable screen

Landscape and Yard
• Create a defensible space of 100 feet around your home
• Remove all flammable vegetation within 30 feet surrounding your home
• Remove lower tree branches at least six feet from the ground
• Use fire resistant plants
• Keep plants and yard properly watered
• Keep wood piles at least 30 feet from your home

Emergency Water Supply
• Clearly mark all water sources
• Create easy firefighter access to water sources
• Make sure there is a community hydrant system on your street or a co-op emergency water storage tank for your area

It’s also important to make sure the inside of your home is as protected as the outside. Visit the Cal Fire website below for specific instructions on keeping your home’s interior and garage fire-safe.

Cal Fire • fire.ca.gov

Fire Safe Council • firesafecouncil.org

Fire Wise • firewise.org