Why Defensible Space?


For example, the California Law in Public Resources Code 4291 requires a 100 foot area of defensible space outward from structures adjacent to forest, brush or grasslands www.leginfo.ca.gov. The Fire Code of Carson City, Nevada requires defensible space ranging from 30 feet to 200 feet for properties outside of the urban area in the wildland urban interface (WUI), and modifications to trees within 15 feet of a structure (Title 14.04).

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) suggests 100 to 200 feet of defensible space depending on slope and vegetation types, and they promote a $1,000 rebate program sponsored by the Nevada Fire Safe Council. TRPA goes on to say that defensible space has been proven worldwide to increase your home’s chances for surviving a wildfire and also aids in minimizing the chance that a fire in your home will escape to the surrounding wildland (www.tahoefiresafe.com/dspace.php ).

Insurance companies support defensible space and may require it, check with yours. AAA reports that average acres burned by wildfires in the 2000’s (7 million acres per year) were double the average of the 1990’s (www.AAA.com). The Nevada Division of Insurance has a picture of the Waterfall fire, Carson City 2004, on the cover of their Consumer Guide to Home Insurance (http://doi.state.nv.us ).
But above all, defensible space is needed to protect homes, habitats and communities from ever-increasing numbers of devastating wildfires. Throughout the West, it’s the law and it’s the right thing to do. Read on to see how Defensible Space Solutions can help you with your defensible space needs.

 

 

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