Creating a Defensible Space

Determine how big a space to clear based on new state guidelines. See link below.

Within 100 feet of your house:

1. Break up continuous cover of shrubs.

2. Remove all ladder fuels.

Within 30 feet of your house:

1. Remove all dead vegetation.

2. Plant and maintain fire resistant plants.

3. Provide a "lean, clean and green area".

Links

Living With Fire: 

Living With Fire pages 1-4  

Living With Fire pages 5-8  

Living With Fire pages 9-11

Defensible Space Guidelines

Regulations issued by the Board of Forestry 

Creating a Fire-Safe Community

What to do During a Wildfire

Tips for the Fire Safe Home     

National Firewise Council Brochure (PDF format - Acrobat Reader needed)

Risk Assessment Form (PDF format - Acrobat Reader needed) offsite

Kern River Valley Fuel Reduction Projects:  Comprehensive Summary and Maps 3 MB

Fire Safe Landscaping

Design considerations:

Use fire resistant plants.

Use inorganic materials where feasible.

Use driveways, patios, lawns, pools and walkways as firebreaks.

Keep plants and trees free of dead growth.

Avoid junipers, conifers and broadleaf evergreens close to structures.

Remember in a fire safe landscape, less is better.

Checklist of Plants for the Fire Safe Home

Local Fire Safe Landscapers  

Community Wildfire Protection Plans

Alta Sierra (PDF format - Acrobat Reader needed)

Kennedy Meadows (PDF format - Acrobat Reader needed)

Kern River Valley (PDF format - Acrobat Reader needed)

Myers Canyon Community (PDF format - Acrobat Reader needed)