Best practices for creating a defensible space in high-risk areas?

Assessing and Removing Hazardous Vegetation

Assess your property for hazardous vegetation, including dead or dying trees, shrubs, and weeds. Remove any combustible materials within 30 feet of buildings, and thin out trees and shrubs to reduce fuel loads. For trees, remove branches that are within 10 feet of the ground and 6 feet from the trunk. For shrubs, remove any that are within 10 feet of buildings or other combustible materials. Use proper equipment and techniques to avoid causing damage to surrounding structures.

Creating a Buffer Zone

Create a 10-foot buffer of bare ground around structures by removing any vegetation, including weeds and grass. This helps to deprive fires of fuel and prevent them from spreading. Use a combination of mechanical clearing and herbicides to achieve a bare ground condition. For rocky or hard-to-reach areas, use a brush saw or pruning saw to remove hazardous vegetation.

Ongoing Maintenance and Inspection

Regularly inspect your property for hazardous vegetation and maintain your defensible space. This includes removing dead or dying trees, trimming branches, and mowing grass. Inspect your property at least twice a year, during the spring and fall, to catch any potential hazards before they become major problems. Create a schedule and stick to it to ensure your defensible space remains effective.