100 Feet of Fire Safety: Your Guide to Defensible Space in San Diego County

Living in San Diego County comes with undeniable perks – beautiful weather, stunning landscapes, and a vibrant coastal lifestyle. However, this paradise also faces a significant threat: wildfires. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your home and community from these devastating blazes. One crucial measure is creating and maintaining defensible space around your property.

This blog post dives deep into San Diego County's defensible space requirements, empowering you to become an active participant in fire safety. We'll explore the following:

• What is Defensible Space?

• San Diego County's Defensible Space Ordinance

• Creating a 100-Foot Defensible Space Zone

• Zone 0: Immediate Zone (0-10 feet)

• Zone 1: Inner Zone (10-50 feet)

• Zone 2: Outer Zone (50-100 feet)

• Maintaining Your Defensible Space

• Fire-Resistant Landscaping Options

• Benefits of Defensible Space

What is Defensible Space?

Defensible space refers to the area around your home where vegetation and other flammable materials are managed to create a barrier that slows or stops the spread of wildfire. This buffer zone helps protect your property from flames reaching your structures and allows firefighters safer access to combat the blaze.

San Diego County's Defensible Space Ordinance

The County of San Diego has a strict Defensible Space for Fire Protection Ordinance. This ordinance mandates property owners to clear a minimum of 100 feet around any structure on their land. It's important to remember that local fire agencies may have even stricter requirements. They can issue written notices requiring additional vegetation removal beyond the 100-foot minimum.

Creating a 100-Foot Defensible Space Zone

Think of your defensible space as a 100-foot radius circle centered around your home. This zone can be further divided into three sub-zones, each with specific vegetation management requirements.

This critical zone should be completely free of flammable materials. Here's what you need to do:

• Remove all dead leaves, pine needles, twigs, and branches.

• Keep grass and weeds mowed to a maximum height of 4 inches.

• Store firewood at least 10 feet away from your house.

• Prune tree branches at least 10 feet up from the ground.

• Remove any flammable decorations or furniture from around your home.

This zone requires significant vegetation reduction and modification

• Thin out shrubs and trees, maintaining a horizontal space of 3 feet between them.

• Remove low-hanging branches up to 6 feet from the ground.

• Create vertical space between trees, shrubs, and grass by removing lower branches.

• Consider replacing highly flammable plants with fire-resistant varieties.

• If you choose to keep flammable plants, maintain a fuel break of bare mineral soil around them (at least 3 feet in diameter).

This zone allows for some natural vegetation, but proper management is crucial:

• Thin out natural vegetation to reduce fuel load.

• Cut back brush and shrubs to a maximum height of 18 inches.

• Remove dead or dying trees and branches.

• Maintain access for firefighters by clearing paths through dense vegetation

This zone allows for some natural vegetation, but proper management is crucial:

• Thin out natural vegetation to reduce fuel load.

• Cut back brush and shrubs to a maximum height of 18 inches.

• Remove dead or dying trees and branches.

• Maintain access for firefighters by clearing paths through dense vegetation

This zone allows for some natural vegetation, but proper management is crucial:

• Thin out natural vegetation to reduce fuel load.

• Cut back brush and shrubs to a maximum height of 18 inches.

• Remove dead or dying trees and branches.

• Maintain access for firefighters by clearing paths through dense vegetation

Maintaining Your Defensible Space

Creating defensible space is just the first step. Consistent maintenance throughout the year is essential. Here are some tips

• Regularly remove dead leaves, pine needles, and debris from your property.

• Mow your lawn and trim vegetation before the dry season.

• Prune trees and shrubs throughout the year.

• Inspect your defensible space for any signs of flammable materials accumulating.

Fire-Resistant Landscaping Options

Replacing flammable plants with fire-resistant alternatives significantly enhances your defensible space. Here are some drought-tolerant, fire-resistant plants suitable for San Diego County:

• California fuchsia • Mexican bush sage • Ceanothus • Red buckwheat • Lavender

Benefits of Defensible Space

Creating and maintaining defensible space offers numerous benefits:

• Protects your home and property from wildfires.

• Creates a safer environment for firefighters to work.

• Reduces the risk of wildfires spreading to neighboring properties.

• Increases your home's value by demonstrating fire preparedness.

Additional Resources

San Diego County
CalFire
Ready For Wildfire