Zone 1: Immediate - Ember resistant zone

The first 0-5 ft (or 0-1.5 m) around your home, patio, decks, balconies, is the most critical area for wildfire protection, because it is directly next to your home.

This includes keeping a 5-foot ember-resistant zone around sheds, detached garages, and other accessory dwelling units.

The objective is to prevent windblown embers from landing on or near your home and starting a fire.

Proper management here greatly reduces the risk of flames or radiant heat reaching your house, making it the strongest shield against wildfire.

The problem

Often homeowners have flammable materials and furniture near the building, including on and under deck and patio areas. This includes plastic or wooden outdoor furniture, garbage & recycling disposal, propane tanks, or sheds.

The problem

Often homeowners have landscaped gardens including trees around the house.

The problem

Fences made of wood or other combustible materials can catch fire easily and help a fire spread quickly from one property to another. 

The problem

Only ongoing upkeep ensures this zone continues to act as a protective barrier throughout fire season.

Do not

Action: keep area clear of any flames

  • Store flammable materials somewhere else (e.g. don’t forget to check underneath decks and porches)

  • Remove all combustible material around the house (e.g. mulch)

  • Ensure garden furniture is fire-resistant

  • Remove accumulated leaves and other dry vegetation from immediately around the house.

Actions: No life and dry vegetation around structures

Hardscape immediate area around the house using non-combustible surface

Action: keep area clear of any flames

  • Use metal, concrete, or fire-resistant wood for any fencing attached to your home.

Actions: No life and dry vegetation around structures

  • Routinely clear vegetation debris (leaves, needles, etc) from roofs, gutters, decks, and the ground around the home

  • Trim any branches that overhang the roof or touch the building

  • If you store equipment or tools, those need to be placed outside this zone or within non-combustible storage units.

  • No synthetic laws!!!

  • Avoid plants directly against walls or under windows, under vents or eaves, as these can act as ignition points. Any grass should be kept short and avoid any decorative elements flammable materials.

  • Avoid vines and climbing plants in this zone, including on fences, decks, patio and shade structures.

  • Avoid wood mulch, bark chips, pine needles, firewood stacks, or wooden furniture within 5 ft of the home.

  • No plastic decor and synthetic items that can melt or

Do

Did you know

The “zero to five feet” clear zone around a home isn’t a one-size-fits-all rule. In places like California, many homes have large roof overhangs designed to keep interiors cool from the sun. But those same overhangs can trap embers during a wildfire, turning shade into a fire risk.

the safest buffer zone depends on your home’s structure, the bigger the overhang, the more space you should keep clear of vegetation and flammable materials.

Best practice

Hardscaping options

Gravel (e.g. gravel mulch, river rock, decomposed granite)

Permeable pavers

Aesthetic fire-resistant planting

Allows rainwater to go through, supporting irrigation. Affordable and available

Allows rainwater to go through, supporting irrigation. Affordable and available

Concrete

Affordable and available

Avoid tree branches overhanging the house.

See  how plant flammability has been tested in California

  • Rock gardens or paved walkways are aesthetic and create a strong barrier to fire.

  • Decorative features made of metal, ceramic, or stone are safe additions.  

  • All plants can burn, but there are some that are more fire-resistant. Use these and keep them watered to maintain high moisture content.

  • Plants should be widely spaced and arranged so that they cannot transfer fire to one another or to the building. Potted plants should be kept moist and spaced apart.