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We have experienced significant moisture this past spring leading to excessive grass growth which could lead to an above average fire season.  Wildfires spread from the wildland to homes every year in California but there are things you can do now to help prevent it from destroying your home. 

What does defensible space mean?

1. Lean, Clean and Green Zone.  A defensible space of 100 feet around your home is required by law.  Clearing an area 30 feet immediately surrounding your home is critical.  Remove flammable vegetation. 

2.  Reduced Fuel Zone in the remaining 70 feet.  Spacing between plants and trees improves the chance of stopping a wildfire before it destroys your home.

3.  Remove plants beneath trees.  These plants act like a ladder allowing the fire to climb into the trees.

4.  Remove tree branches at least 6 feet off the ground.  This will prevent small ground fires from jumping into the trees.

5.  Move wood piles at least 30 feet from all structures or cover with a fire safe tarp, available at Truckee Fire.  Fires that get into these piles are difficult or impossible to stop the spread of fire to the home.
6.  Remove pine needles off of your roof.  Embers get into these pine needles and can burn down your house.
7.  Cut the Grass.  These light fuels allow fire to spead very quickly.

Other Tips:

A home checklist is available at Readyforwildfire.org under the defensible space tab, along with other valuable information.

Burning:  Residential debris burning of small piles on approved days is allowed with a burn permit available free from any fire station.

Utilize Green Bags (through June), yard debris carts, free dumping at the landfill and $70 dumpsters to remove debris from your yard.

$150 REBATE:  Hire a Defensible Space Contractor.  They are pros at quickly getting your yard READY and removing debris.  Truckee Fire will give you $150 back on the cost of the work of a licenced contractor, just bring in your reciept to the District office.

If you have any questions call the Truckee FIre Protection District 530-582-7850, Truckeefire.org, Readyforwildfire.org