![]() Spread slash and wood chips over a large area of ground to avoid heavy accumulations and large piles.It is critical that any slash is located as far from your house as possible: Slash is a fuel for wildfire, so ensure this debris is properly managed on your property. The sticks and other debris left from cutting trees and shrubs is called slash. Properly thin and prune trees and shrubs as you address the home ignition zone. Post signs at the end of the driveway with your house number that are noncombustible, reflective and easily visible to emergency responders.Space shrubs apart at least two-and-a-half times their mature height, as measured from the edge of the shrubs.Remove any shrubs that are within 10 feet of the outer edge of tree crowns.Remove any remaining ladder fuels beneath trees after thinning.Maintain at least 10 feet between tree crowns and keep trees a minimum of 30 feet back from each side of the driveway along the entire distance from the house to the main access road.Remove flammable vegetation within 10 feet of all propane tanks and gas meters.Keep aboveground tanks at least 30 feet from the home, preferably on the same elevation as the house.Remove flammable vegetation within 10 feet of woodpiles.Do not stack firewood between remaining trees, underneath the deck, or on the deck.Keep firewood stacked uphill from (or at the same elevation as) any structures, and keep the woodpile at least 30 feet away from the home.*Address as needed, more than once a year. Break up the layer of wood chips by adding nonflammable material, or allow for wide gaps of at least 3 feet between chip accumulations. Avoid creating continuous areas of wood chips on the ground when chipping logs and/or slash.Any accumulation of slash that’s chipped or otherwise should be isolated 30 feet or more from the home.* Dispose of slash from thinning trees and shrubs by chipping, hauling to a disposal site or piling in open areas for burning later.Remove branches that hang over the roof and chimney.Treat or mow shrubs that re-sprout aggressively (such as Gambel oak) every 3-5 years or more depending on growth rates.Rake and remove all pine needles and other flammable debris from a 5-foot radius around the foundation of your home and deck.*.Mow grass and weeds to a height of 4 inches or less.*.Replace combustible fencing or gates, at least within 5 feet of the home.Create 6 inches of vertical clearance between the ground and home siding.Use tempered glass for windows two or more panes are recommended.Screen or wall-in stilt foundations and decks with 1/8-inch metal mesh.Screen attic, roof, eaves and foundation vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh.Remove all leaves, needles and other debris from all decks, roofs and gutters.Ensure the roof has a Class A fire rating.Top Priorities for Structural Ignitability Follow these steps to maintain the home ignition zone. Trees, grasses and shrubs continue to grow, die and drop leaves each season, and there are ongoing maintenance needs for any structures on your property. The home ignition zone requires regular, ongoing maintenance to be effective. This will minimize the ability of your home to ignite during a wildfire, in part by reducing or eliminating nearby fuels. Take these practical steps to increase the likelihood your home survives a wildfire by addressing the home ignition zone, which is the home itself and the area around it. Follow These Checklists to Prepare Your Home for Wildfire ![]()
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