Crime & Safety

County Fire Department Reminds Residents of 'Defensible Space' Law

Cal Fire says "defensible space" acts as a buffer zone between your home-- and potentially fire prone grasses and vegetation.

The following was submitted by Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department for publication: 

What is “Defensible Space”?

Consider it a “buffer” zone between a home or building and the potentially fire-prone  grasses, trees and vegetation that surrounds it.  100 feet of defensible space is required by law under the California Public Resources Code (PRC) 4291.

There are two “zones” for creating defensible space.  

Zone 1 is 30 feet from your home, including outdoor decks, sheds and other structures and must be cleared of:

  • Dead grasses, weeds and plants
  • Exposed wood piles (unless covered with a fire-resistant tarp or other material)
  • Dead pine needles, leaves and other falling debris from surrounding trees and shrubs that collect in rain gutters, in yards and on your roof
  • Dead branches and tree limbs that are closer than 10 feet from your roof and chimney
  • Any dead or fire-prone shrubs or vegetation near decks and windows
Zone 2 is the area 30-100 feet from a structure; including, but not limited to houses, sheds, workshops and other buildings and must include:
  • Removal of fallen leaves, twigs, bark, cones and small branches (some exceptions for erosion control are permitted)
  • Sufficient vertical and horizontal spacing between trees and shrubs

CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department responds to hundreds of vegetation fires every year started by using  the right equipment the wrong way. It only takes the metal blade of a mower to strike a rock, create a spark and start a fire! Spark arresters are required on all portable, gasoline-powered equipment; including tractors, harvesters, chainsaws, weed trimmers and mowers. It is important to keep spark arresters free of carbon build-up.  

So…with it already so hot and dry outside, when is the best time to clear hazardous vegetation? Click here to view  our fact sheet,  "Are You Doing The Right Thing The Wrong Way?" and learn the best time and way to use  motorized equipment for clearing grass, brush and hazardous vegetation.


“Our Firefighters have responded to dozens of wildland fires in Riverside County this spring. With summer rapidly approaching, vegetation will  continue to dry out, creating even more dangerous fire conditions than we are already experiencing”, said CAL FIRE and Riverside County Fire Chief, John R. Hawkins.

“I urge residents and property owners to do their part in not only protecting your home and family against an approaching wildland fire, but help to protect our firefighters from potential harm when they are tasked with protecting homes that do not have defensible space around their homes, as required by law.”

The  “Ready For Wildfire.Org” website provides an interactive and user-friendly guide to help you harden your home and create a defensible space to protect you and your loved ones from an approaching wildfire. 




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