Specializing in
mastication of vegetation fuels. Our goal at Defensible
Space Solutions is to create the most environmentally
sensitive and effective fuels reduction work for your
specific property needs. We want you to be an active participant
in deciding on the extent of fuels reduction and modification
for your property, although we are qualified and willing
to act independently in all phases of your work. We want
to educate you about suggested maintenance provisions
to keep your defensible space effective.
Defensible Space Solutions
will:
1. Listen to the concerns of the property owners.
2. Determine your recommended
defensible space distance outward from the
foundation of your house, and other structures, based
upon the steepness of your property slope and the vegetation
type(s) growing on or near your property. For undeveloped
properties we will recommend perimeter fuel breaks and/or
internal treatments specific to your site.
3. Evaluate your Residential
Built Zone by assessing your roof, rain gutters,
roof vents, chimneys, siding materials, eaves and decks,
windows, and combustible materials, including firewood,
around all buildings.
4. Evaluate your Defensible Space Zone
by assessing dead vegetation and ladder fuels, separation
between shrubs, separation between trees, and the “lean,
clean and green area” within 30’ of the house,
including a non-combustible area 3’ around all structures.
5. Discuss your Access Zoneby
assessing your home address and street signs, vegetation
around and above your driveway and if you have a turnaround
on your driveway for fire equipment.
6. Discuss wildlife and water quality conditions
relative to the location and timing of fuels management
treatments.
7. Create the recommended defensible space
using a rubber-tracked masticator, power tools, and hand
tools. If necessary we will contract with Certified Arborists
to achieve the best treatments for your property. For
example, an arborist crew can trim trees or clear vegetation
around rocks then pile the plant slash for mastication.
Mastication of the slash pile is done in a fraction of
the crew time to haul and chip, and your native materials
left on site protect your soil from erosion. DSS works
with Tree Tenders, LLC (treetenders.net)
in Carson City, NV, Jeremiah’s Tree Service in Lake
Tahoe (jeremiahstreeservice-tahoe.com),
and Cease Fire in Truckee, CA (cftree.com).
We start with a free, comprehensive assessment of your
property site conditions. We are eminently qualified to
explain and use the Living with Fire guidelines to reduce
your wildfire threats.
Based upon your specific conditions,
we will recommend fuel reduction strategies that fit your
needs, desires and finances. We will offer a flexible
treatment strategy to take into consideration your comfort
with your existing landscape or visual screening, but
keep a clear goal of creating effective defensible space
and long-term fuels management. As needed, we will identify
weedy plant species and suggest treatments strategies.
Defensible Space Solutions bills at $200 per hour
for the ASV tracked loader, operator and one grounds person.
For NV Fire Safe Council active members our rates are
$175 per hour. We have a 3 hour minimum requirement. We
add mobilization costs for jobs greater than 100 miles
from Crystal Bay, NV.
We provide you information about
your local Fire and Forestry Services (forestry.nv.gov,
fire.ca.gov),
including State and local Fire Safe Council information
(www.nvfsc.org). We work happily
with Fire Safe Councils or homeowner associations to maximize
wildfire protection.
Defensible Space Solutions will
provide the most effective fuels management program for
your property but we cannot guarantee your safety from
wildfire. Wildfire is unpredictable and is not absolutely
preventable. The risk of wildfire damage may be reduced
in connection with the services or recommendations provided
by Defensible Space Solutions, but no property or person
can be made absolutely safe.
