Fire Safety · 5 min read
How to Prepare Your Property for Wildfire Season
A Sierra foothill homeowner's practical guide to defensible space, hardening, and pre-season yard prep aligned with CAL FIRE guidance.
Living in Tuolumne County means living with fire risk. The good news: defensible space is deeply studied, well-understood, and mostly achievable in a weekend or two of focused work — plus one pro visit for the parts that need equipment.
Understand the zones
California PRC 4291 requires a 100-ft defensible buffer split into Zone 1 (0 to 30 ft, ember-resistant) and Zone 2 (30 to 100 ft, reduced fuel). Every insurance carrier now inspects to some version of that standard.
Zone 1 (0 to 30 ft)
No dead vegetation. No bark mulch within 5 ft of structures — swap for gravel or mineral cover. Trees limbed up to 6 to 10 ft. Deck undersides clear. Firewood moved outside 30 ft.
Zone 2 (30 to 100 ft)
Grass mowed to 4 inches or less. Trees spaced with canopy gaps. Ladder fuels (small trees under mature canopies) removed. Deadfall hauled.
Home hardening
Ember-resistant vents, boxed eaves, clean gutters, and no wood fencing within 5 ft of the home dramatically reduce ignition risk. Any brush work should pair with a hardening pass.
Insurance documentation
Photograph before and after. Keep the scope document. Some carriers explicitly credit documented defensible space in renewal decisions.
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Frequently asked
When should I start defensible space work?
April to June. Pre-season books out fast; emergency and post-notice clearings can usually start within a week.
Do I need to remove all my trees?
No. Healthy, well-spaced trees with lifted canopies are compatible with defensible space.