Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities Weekly Tip #8: Create Defensible Space

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities is presenting their eighth "Tip of the Week," an ongoing series for the public since they are unable to perform their normal community outreach services. All tips are ways people can prepare for wildfire while staying at home. They will be providing a total of ten tips.

Tip #8: Create Defensible Space

Defensible space refers to the managed landscape surrounding a home that reduces the threat of a wildfire. Defensible space allows wildland firefighters to more effectively defend a home, and in the event help is not available, improves the likelihood of a home surviving without assistance.

With wildfire season approaching, it's time to create or maintain your defensible space and increase the chance of your home surviving a wildfire.
Know Your Zones

Non-Combustible Zone
The non-combustible zone refers to the first 0-5 feet surrounding your home and should contain no combustible materials. Remove pine needles, leaves, firewood, and combustible vegetation. Read last week's tip on how to create and maintain this zone.

Lean, Clean, and Green Zone
The lean, clean, and green zone refers to the next 5-30 feet around your home. Vegetation in this area should be well-separated, healthy and irrigated. Remove dead plants, reduce combustible materials, and keep vegetation healthy and green.

Wildland Fuel Reduction Zone
The wildland fuel reduction zone refers to the area beyond 30 feet of your home. In this zone, create horizontal and vertical separation between trees and shrubs and remove pine needle accumulations that exceed 3 inches.

Request a Defensible Space Inspection or Curbside Chipping
Fire districts in the Lake Tahoe Basin provide free defensible space inspections and curbside chipping services.

Defensible space evaluations are educational and intended to help residents obtain compliance and chipping services provide a way for residents to dispose of the slash they produce when creating or maintaining defensible space.

Although COVID-19 has delayed inspections and chipping, most services should be available by June 15th.

Use the map above to find your fire district and request an inspection or chipping service online.

Chipping
North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District
North Tahoe Fire Protection District
Lake Valley Fire Protection District
Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District

Upcoming Events

Although it is unlikely they will hold any in-person events in the near future, stay tuned for a virtual neighborhood leader meet-and-greet the first week of June. More details will be released soon. For more information, visit https://www.tahoelivingwithfire.com/get-involved/.

Learn more about becoming a neighborhood leader here.

Previous Tips

#1 - Create a Go-Bag
#2 - Make a Family Evacuation Plan
#3 - Talking to kids about wildfire
#4 - Make a home inventory list
#5 - Identify your home's ember vulnerabilities
#6 - Create a home hardening plan
#7 - Create a non-combustible zone

Learn more about preparing for wildfire - https://www.tahoelivingwithfire.com/.