Typically, defensible space is broken into zones with specific guidelines for each:

• Zone 0 (Ember Resistant Zone): Zone 0 extends 0- 5 feet from your home, focusing on intense fuel reduction to protect against ember attacks. While not legally required yet, Zone 0 is key for wildfire defense and preventing fires from spreading to your home. Here are the current guidelines:
  1. Use gravel, pavers, or concrete instead of combustible mulch
  2. Clear dead weeds, grass, and debris; check roofs, gutters, and outdoor areas
  3. Keep branches trimmed 10 feet away from chimneys and stovepipes
  4. Minimize combustible items like furniture and planters on decks
  5. Move firewood and lumber to Zone 2 for safety
  6. Replace combustible fencing and gates with fire-resistant materials
  7. Shift garbage and recycling containers to a safer area outside this zone
  8. Relocate boats, RVs, and vehicles away from this zone to reduce fire risks

• Zone 1 (Lean, Clean & Green Zone): Zone 1 extends 30 feet from buildings, structures, decks, etc. or to your property line, whichever is closer.
  1. Clear all dead plants, grass, and weeds
  2. Remove dead leaves and pine needles from your yard, roof, and gutters
  3. Trim overhanging branches and keep them 10 feet from your chimney
  4. Regularly trim trees to maintain a 10-foot gap from others
  5. Move wood piles to Zone 2
  6. Prune flammable plants and shrubs near windows
  7. Clear flammable vegetation and items from under decks, balconies, and stairs
  8. Maintain space between trees, shrubs, and flammable items like patio furniture and wood piles
  9. Ensure outbuildings and LPG tanks have 10 feet of clear space to bare soil and no flammable vegetation within an additional 10 feet around them

• Zone 2 (reduce Fuel Zone): Zone 2 extends from 30 feet to 100 feet out from buildings, structures, decks, etc. or to your property line, whichever is closer.
  1. Trim annual grass to a maximum height of 4 inches
  2. Space out shrubs and trees horizontally (See diagram)
  3. Ensure vertical spacing between grass, shrubs, and trees (See diagram)
  4. Remove fallen leaves, needles, and small branches, but can leave up to 3 inches
  5. Keep exposed wood piles at least 10 feet clear from surroundings, down to the soil
  6. Ensure outbuildings and LPG tanks have 10 feet of clear space to bare soil and no flammable vegetation within an additional 10 feet around them