Fire demonstration shows survivability of structures with at least 5 feet of absolute clearance - ABC7 Los Angeles

Zone 0 extends zero to five feet from structures, including the building itself. 

Zone 1 begins five feet from your house and extends 30 feet away. 

Zone 2 lies beyond the home defense zone, extending at least 100 feet from the house or to your property line.

Zone 3 is adjacent to roads and driveways, fourteen feet overhead and ten feet from the edge of the roadway. 

Zone 4 is area shared with neighbors and/or land management agencies. 100-200+ ft.

Zone 0: Ember Resistant Zone

Zone 0, sometimes referred to as the 'Ember Resistant Zone,' extends 0 to 5 feet from your house. It is the area closest to your house, including plants, decks, outdoor furniture, and the outside walls and coverings. This area is the most vulnerable and should be more aggressively maintained for fire resistance. When wildfire embers land in this area, they ignite any combustible material, which in turn can ignite your home. Gravel mulch and hardscaping are very effective in this area.

• Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris and pine needles that could catch embers.
• Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration.
• Reduce embers that could pass through vents in the eaves by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening.
• Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install 1/8 inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers.
• Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
• Move any flammable material away from wall exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn. Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.

 Video Credit: Fire Safe Marin

Zone 1: 5-30ft. Lean, Clean & Green

In this zone, which extends from 5 to 30 feet from the home, remove dead vegetation and debris, and maintain spacing between shrubs and trees. Remove 'ladder fuels' (i.e., trees or shrubs that are growing under other trees) because they can increase the probability of fire moving into the tree canopy. Keep vegetation in this zone irrigated. Hardscape and plant islands or beds can help maintain horizontal separation to reduce the spread of fire.

• Clear vegetation from under large stationary propane tanks.
• Create fuel breaks with driveways, walkways/paths, patios, and decks.
• Keep lawns and native grasses mowed to a height of four inches.
• Remove ladder fuels (vegetation under trees) so a surface fire cannot reach the crowns. Prune trees up to six to ten feet from the ground; for shorter trees do not exceed 1/3 of the overall tree height.
• Space trees to have a minimum of eighteen feet between crowns with the distance increasing with the percentage of slope.
• Tree placement should be planned to ensure the mature canopy is no closer than ten feet to the edge of the structure.
• Tree and shrubs in this zone should be limited to small clusters of a few each to break up the continuity of the vegetation across the landscape.

Video Credit: Fire Safe Marin

Zone 2: 30-100ft - Fuel Reduction

Zone 2 extends from 30 feet to at least 100 feet. Fuels need to be reduced in this zone. Dead grass, weeds, plants, and shrubs should be removed. Shaded fuel breaks that favor the growth of large native species by removing the understory, ladder fuels, and invasive species can favorably modify wildfire behavior while providing the foundation for a healthy and resilient forest.

• Dispose of heavy accumulations of ground litter/debris.
• Remove dead plant and tree material.
• Remove small conifers growing between mature trees.
• Remove vegetation adjacent to storage sheds or other outbuildings within this area.
• Trees 30 to 60 feet from the home should have at least 12 feet between canopy tops.*
• Trees 60 to 100 feet from the home should have at least 6 feet between the canopy tops.*

*The distances listed for crown spacing are suggested based on NFPA 1144. However, the crown spacing needed to reduce/prevent crown fire potential could be significantly greater due to slope, the species of trees involved and other site specific conditions. Check with your local forestry professional to get advice on what is appropriate for your property.

A home can be saved, even if surrounded by wildfire, through the diligent maintenance of defensible space.

Zone 3: 0-10 ft horizontally and 14 ft vertically from roads and driveways

Zone 3, known as 'the Access Zone,' extends from 3 feet to at least 10 feet horizontally from the edge of roads and driveways, and 14 feet overhead. Property owners are responsible for vegetation adjacent to roads and driveways. Access roads are critical for evacuation and first responder access. Maintenance is required year-round.

Zone 4: 100-200 feet+

Zone 4, known as 'the Community Zone,' can encompass 100-200 feet depending on the layout of the houses. Many homes do not have 100 feet of space between structures and parcel lines. Property owners are required to maintain defensible space up to their property line. California and local laws do not require you to create defensible space on property you don’t own. Work with your neighbor to gain permission to clear defensible space on their property if it will help protect your home! In most cases, the most effective solution is a cooperative approach between neighbors.

Updates from the Office of the State Fire Marshal / Cal Fire

Why Zone 0? - Community Wildfire Preparedness and Mitigation Webinar Series

Visit the Cal Fire Ready for Wildfire website: Defensible Space

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