Increase Fire Safety: Creating Defensible Space

CREATE DEFENSIBLE SPACE

An ongoing effort of the Chilmark Fire Department is sharing our knowledge about creating “defensible space” around your home which is essential to improving your home’s chance of surviving a brushfire.  This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of brushfire and it helps protect your home from catching fire—either from direct flame contact or radiant heat. Defensible space is also important for the protection of the firefighters defending your home. The “Home Ignition Zone” is broken down into three main areas. Within each there are easily executed recommendations to protect your home from brushfires.

Immediate Zone: 0-5 feet from the dwelling

Clean roofs and gutters of leaves and debris

Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles

Clean and install1/8 inch metal mesh screening over vents

Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens

Move away flammable material – mulch, leaves, firewood piles

Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches 

Intermediate Zone: 5-30 feet from the furthest point of the dwelling

Clear vegetation from under large stationary propane tanks

Create fuel breaks with driveways, walkways/paths, patios

Keep lawns and native grasses mowed

Prune trees up to six to ten feet from the ground

Space trees to have a minimum of eighteen feet between crowns

Trees should be no closer than ten feet to the edge of the structure

Tree and shrubs in this zone should be limited to small clusters

Extended Zone: 30-100 feet out to 200 feet

The goal here is to interrupt fire’s path

Dispose of heavy accumulations of ground debris and dead vegetation

Trees 30 to 60 feet from the home should have at least 12 feet between canopy tops