BREAK PATHWAYS FOR FIRE WITH

Defensible Space

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OVERVIEW

Defensible space is crucial for your home’s wildfire safety. It’s the buffer zone you create between your property and the surrounding wildland area. This space is key to slowing or stopping wildfire spread and protecting your home from embers, flames, or heat. It also gives firefighters a safer area to defend your property.

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.

Image of a house with a blue roof. A grey driveway connects a sdeperate garage structure with the main house. Surrounding the house is a red out that says Zone 0, followed by a wider orange outline that says Zone 1. Lastly, the widest outline surrounding the house says Zone 2.

Zone 0 - Ember Resistant Zone

The first five feet from your home is the most important. Keeping the area closest to buildings, structures, and decks clear will prevent embers from igniting materials that can spread the fire to your home.

Why? The majority of homes lost to wildfire are ignited by flying embers. Embers can travel miles ahead of the active front of wildfires.

What to do:

Use hardscape like gravel, pavers, or concrete. No combustible bark or mulch.
Remove all dead and dying plants, weeds, and debris (leaves, needles, etc.) from your roof, gutter, deck, porch, stairways, and under any areas of your home.
Remove all branches within 10 feet of any chimney or stovepipe outlet.
Limit combustible items (like outdoor furniture and planters) on top of decks.
Relocate firewood and lumber to Zone 2.
Replace combustible fencing, gates, and arbors attached to the home with noncombustible alternatives.
Consider relocating garbage and recycling containers outside this zone.

Consider relocating boats, RVs, vehicles, and other combustible items outside this zone.

Have you Heard?

Zone 0 policy is changing and you can help shape it

Submit Public Comments to: [email protected]

Zone 0: Frequently Asked Questions

Zone 1 - Lean, Clean, and Green Zone

Regularly clear dead or dry vegetation and create space between trees. During times of drought when watering is limited, pay special attention to clearing dead or dying material.

Why? Removing dead plants and creating space between trees and shrubs creates a buffer for your property and reduces potential fuel for fire.

What to do:

Remove all dead plants, grass, and weeds.
Remove dead or dry leaves and pine needles.
Trim trees regularly to keep branches a minimum of 10 feet from other trees.

Create a separation between trees, shrubs, and items that could catch fire, such as patio furniture, wood piles, swing sets, etc.

Zone 2 - Reduce Fuel Zone

Continue reducing potential fuel within 100 feet or the property line.

Why? 100 feet of defensible space is required by law. Public Resources Code (PRC) 4291

What to do:

Cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of four inches.
Create horizontal space between shrubs and trees. (See diagram)
Create vertical space between grass, shrubs and trees. (See diagram)
Remove fallen leaves, needles, twigs, bark, cones, and small branches. However, they may be permitted to a depth of three inches.
Keep 10 feet of clearance around exposed wood piles, down to bare mineral soil, in all directions.
Clear areas around outbuildings and propane tanks. Keep 10 feet of clearance to bare mineral soil and no flammable vegetation for an additional 10 feet around their exterior.

Rules and Regulations

CAL FIRE

LATEST: FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY MAP UPDATES

View FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES Map

Fire Hazard Severity Zones: Frequently Asked Questions

Board of Forestry: Zone 0 Changes

Submit Public Comments to: [email protected]

Zone 0: Frequently Asked Questions

Ventura County FD

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FIRE HAZARD REDUCTION PROGRAM (FHRP)

Guidelines & Standards

Ventura City

Ventura City Fire Hazard Reduction Program

"In accordance with the City of Ventura's Fire Code, all City of Ventura property owners whose properties are located in a "Very High" or "High" Fire Hazard Severity Zone, are required to perform fire hazard reduction brush management by June 1, 2025. Learn more about the FHRP guidelines.

If abatement has been completed no further action will be necessary. If a fire hazard is found, the property owner will be notified.

Additionally, as part of your personal Wildfire Action Plan, please register to receive VC Alert notifications.

Property owners with questions regarding clearance requirements for their property, can contact our Fire Prevention Team by email at [email protected] or by calling 805-658-4717."