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DEFENSIBLE SPACE

WORKS

During the 1993 raging Malibu fires,a number of homes were saved as a

result of the owners careful pruningand landscaping techniques that pro-tected their homes. In a fire situation,the dead trees and shrubs surroundingyour home act as fuel for fire. Removingflammable vegetation reduces thethreat of fire. Follow these basic rulesto create defensible space that works.

Remove all dead plants, trees andshrubs from the site.

Reduce excess leaves, plant parts andlow-hanging branches.

Replace dense flammable plants withfire-resistant plants.

The choice of plants, spacing andmaintenance are crucial elements inany defensible space landscaping plan.

TIPS FOR A FIRE-SAFE

LANDSCAPE

Create a defensible space perimeterby thinning trees and brush within30 feet around your home.

Beyond 30 feet, remove dead wood,debris and low tree branches.

Eliminate small trees and plantsgrowing under trees. They allowground fires to jump into treecrowns.

Space trees 30 feet apart and pruneto a height of 8 to 10 feet.

Place shrubs at least 20 feet from anystructures and prune regularly.

Plant the most drought-tolerant vege-tation within three feet of your home

and adjacent to structures to preventignition.

Provide at least a 10 to 15 foot sepa-ration between islands of shrubs andplant groups to effectively break-upcontinuity of vegetation.

Landscape your property with fire-resistant plants and vegetation to pre-vent fire from spreading quickly.

CHOOSE FIRE RESISTANT

MATERIALS

Check your local nursery or countyextension service for advice on fireresistant plants that are suited foryour environment.

Create fire-safe zones with stonewalls, patios, swimming pools, decksand roadways.

Use rock, mulch, flower beds andgardens as ground cover for barespaces and as effective firebreaks.

There are no fire-proof plants.

Select high moisture plants that growclose to the ground and have a lowsap or resin content.

Choose plant species that resistignition such as rockrose, iceplantand aloe.

Fire-resistant shrubs include hedgingroses, bush honeysuckles, currant,cotoneaster, sumac and shrub apples.

Plant hardwood, maple, poplar andcherry trees that are less flammablethan pine, fir and other conifers.

MAINTAIN YOUR HOME

AND SURROUNDING

PROPERTY

Maintain a well-pruned and wateredlandscape to serve as a green beltand protection against fire.

Keep plants green during the dryseason and use supplemental irriga-tion, if necessary.

Trim grass on a regular basis up to100 feet surrounding your home.

Stack firewood at least 30 feet fromyour home.

Store flammable materials, liquidsand solvents in metal containers out-side the home at least 30 feet awayfrom structures and wooden fences.

No matter where you live, alwaysinstall smoke alarms on every levelof your home. Test them monthlyand change the batteries at least oncea year. Consider installing the newlong-life smoke alarms.

For More Information Contact:

The United States Fire AdministrationOffice of Fire Management Programs16825 South Seton AvenueEmmitsburg, MD 21727

Or visit the USFA website:

www.usfa.fema.gov

Fire-safe Landscaping Can Save Your HomeA Factsheet on Rural Fire Safety and Prevention

A USFA Public-Private Partnership

STOPSFIR

E

WITH Y

OU

WW

ildland fires destroy hundreds of homes and acres of land every year across the country.

Fire-safe landscaping is an effective tool that creates an area of defensible spacebetween your home and flammable vegetation that protects against devastating fires.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) encourages you to keep fire safety at the forefrontby learning how to landscape and maintain your property to minimize possible fire damage andslow fires if they start. Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility... Fire Stops With You!

March, 1998