Fire Safe Council For Monterey County
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Defensible Space

Defensible Space is the buffer you create between a structure on property you own or rent and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surrounds it.
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Zone 0 – extends 5 ft from the building

Zone 1 – extends 30 ft  
​

Zone 2 – extends 30-100 ft (or to property line)
​
California law requires people who own or rent land in areas with flammable vegetation to maintain a minimum of 100 feet of defensible space around structures
(Public Resources Code
§4291)
(NOTE:  As of this writing (1-31-2023) Public Resources Code section 4291 has been updated to reflect provisions of AB 3074 that provide that the California Board of Forestry will develop regulatory guidance on implementing Zone 0 (no flammable materials 0 to 5 feet from structures). The Board of Forestry is currently working to develop those regulations for Zone 0.  FSCMC recommends that you implement Zone 0 on your property without waiting for it to be required by law, as studies have shown that blowing burning embers igniting flammable material close to structures is a substantial cause for loss of structures during wildfires.)


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Plant and tree spacing guidelines

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Additional resources

  • California Defensible Space Law: (PRC 4291)
  • Download CAL FIRE's "General Guidelines for Creating Defensible Space" for a detailed explanation of how to create the minimum defensible space required by law
  • For lists of wildfire safe and unsafe plants click here
  • Wildfire Risk: Home Ignition Zone
  • Wildfire Risk Reduction and Asset Protection Initiative (WRAP) - United Policyholders
  • ​Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
  • Santa Lucia Preserve Defensible Space
The following videos help explain the importance of defensible space and how to create and maintain it:
The Fire Safe Council For Monterey County is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization. 
Your contribution is tax-deductible, as allowed by law. 
Our organization is funded entirely by grants and donations.
These funds directly support our efforts to increase wildfire mitigation efforts throughout Monterey County. 

Please note, we may only solicit donations from California sources, though we may accept donations from anywhere.
  • Home
  • Active Fires
    • Emergency Resources
  • Firewise USA
    • Workshops
  • Grants
    • Free Chipping
  • Ready, Set, Go
    • READY for Wildfire >
      • Defensible Space
      • Home Hardening
      • Embers / Ignition
    • Get SET >
      • Create a Wildfire Action Plan
      • Emergency Supply Kit
      • Family Communication Plan
    • GO! Evacuation
  • Community Resources
    • The Need to Reduce Fuels >
      • Laws That Interfere
    • Fuel Reduction Calendar
    • Plant Lists
    • History of Wildfire in Monterey County
    • MCCWPP
    • Requests For Proposal
  • About Us
    • Meeting Calendar
    • Contact Us
    • Partners