Defensible Space Around Your Home

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

Did you know that the County of San Diego amended an ordinance that requires residents to keep their property free of fire hazards. Residents comply by creating a “Defensible space” around their homes. This includes (but is not limited to) mowing and properly maintaining lawn and weeds, removing ignitable trees and shrubs, stacking firewood away from the home and ensuring that the home’s address is visible to all emergency vehicles.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I DO TO PROTECT MY PROPERTY AGAINST FIRE?

• Fluctuate the height of plants and space them out adequately. (Taller plants should be spaced wider apart than the shorter ones)
• Eliminate any tree limbs within 10 feet of your chimney.
• Work with your neighbors to clear shared areas between houses.
• Avoid planting trees under or near electrical lines.
• If you have a heavily wooded area on your property, removing dead, weak or diseased trees may improve growing conditions.
• Don’t forget to legally dispose of all your vegetation. (For inquiring about green waste recycling, you may contact your local landfill)
• Stack firewood and scrap wood piles at least 50 feet from any structure and clear away any combustible vegetation within 10 feet of the piles. (There have been instances when firefighters have ‘saved’ a home and moved on, only for wood piles to catch fire.)
• Check and clean your roofs and gutters on all structures several times annually to remove debris that can easily ignite from a spark.