Full Notification

Folsom – Every year across California catastrophic wildfires create havoc on privately owned homes and properties. Those that survive almost always do so because their owners had prepared for the eventuality of fire which is an inescapable force of nature in fire-prone wildland areas like ours. With fire season fast approaching here in Folsom fire officials would like to encourage you to prepare against the threat of a wildfire by creating defensible space on your property as soon as possible.

There are two primary goals in creating defensible space to reduce the wildfire threat and protect your home and property:
1. Reduce the flammability of your home
2. Reduce the fuels around your home.
This defensible space also provides for the safety of our firefighters when we protect your home during a wildland fire. If you wait until there is smoke in the air to take fire-safe steps around your property, it's too late.

When preparing your property against the hazards of a wildfire it is valuable to think in terms of zones. In some cases this may also require working with adjoining neighbors and land owners. If your neighbors will not or cannot cooperate you should at least clear to your property line.
Thin and Act in Zones
Zone 1: Home Ignition Zone

The most critical area is your home ignition zone, which includes your home itself and the landscaping within 30 feet.

Remember: windblown embers or firebrands can ignite a home while leaving the surrounding vegetation untouched or only charred.

Some tips to better protect this zone include:
• Clear leaves, needles or other woody debris from rain gutters and off the roof.
• Clear all vegetation and debris from under decks and touching the foundation.
• Be sure all eaves and attic vents are screened with a small, ¼-inch screen.
• Move stacks of firewood away from structure or other trees.
• Keep vegetation in this area trimmed low, well-irrigated, free of dead material (leaves and dry grass), and small shrubs or bushes spaced apart to prevent a continuous path of fuel to your home.
• Replace hazardous vegetation with less flammable, irrigated landscaping or low growing ground cover and flowering plants.
• Evaluate flammable wood or plastic fencing near structures or under the eaves of structure to ensure that they will not cause the fire to spread.
Zone 2: Defensible Space Zone

This is the second most critical zone and includes the area from 30 to 100 feet from your home.
• Remove dead and dying grass, shrubs and trees.
• Remove old lumber and/or other combustible materials
• Reduce the density of vegetation and “ladder fuels” by thinning and keeping them free of dead material.
• Remove dense undergrowth and thin out densely-crowded smaller trees.
• Experts recommend keeping 10 feet of vertical space between trees and shrubs.
• Mature trees should be limbed up 6 to 10 feet above the ground. Note – In Folsom protected trees such as “Native Oaks” or “Street Trees” may require a tree permit to be issued before work can occur to limb trees. Check with the City Arborist first if you are dealing with a protected tree.
While there are many steps that can be taken to enhance the survivability of your home and property when a wildfire occurs it is important to remember that each step you take, no matter how small, can make a difference.

For more information on how to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season please contact the City of Folsom Fire Department at (916) 984-2280.

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