Fire Safety & Prevention
When it comes to fire safety and precautions, our team at Hodgins & Sons Tree Care understands the critical role that proper tree maintenance plays. Our fire safety and precaution service are designed to help protect your property and surrounding areas from the risk of wildfires. We work diligently to identify potential fire hazards, such as dead or overgrown vegetation, dense tree canopies, or tree limbs that are too close to structures. Our expert arborists assess the landscape and strategically prune or remove trees and vegetation to create proper spacing and reduce fuel loads. We also provide valuable guidance on fire-resistant tree species and landscaping practices that can help minimize fire risks. With our meticulous approach and attention to detail, we aim to create a safer environment and enhance the overall fire resilience of your property. Trust Hodgins & Sons Tree Care for comprehensive fire safety and precaution services that prioritize the well-being of your property and community.
Flying embers can destroy homes up to a mile ahead of a wildfire. Prepare (harden) your home now before a fire starts.
Priority list for building or remodeling with ignition-resistant* materials:
- Roof (Above all else your roofing is the most important hardening feature)
- Eaves and Soffits
- Walls
- Decks
- Patio Cover
- Fencing
Other priority activities:
- Vents: Cover and protect all openings.
- Windows: Protect against blow-outs and install dual-paned windows.
- Rain Gutters: Screen or enclose.
- Chimney: Cover outlets with non combustible screens.
- Garage: Have an accessible fire extinguisher.
- Driveways: Ensure access to your home complies with local fire codes.
- Water Supply: Have multiple garden hoses that are long enough to reach all areas of your home.
Vertical Spacing
Eliminate opportunities for a vertical “fire ladder” by:
- Remove branches beneath large trees for a 6-foot minimum clearance.
- Create proper vertical spacing between shrubs and the lowest branches of trees by using the formula shown.
Horizontal Spacing
The spacing between gross, shrubs, and trees is crucial to reduce the spread of wildfire. The spacing needed is determined by the type and size of the shrubs and trees, as well as the slope of the land. For example, a property on a steep slope with larger plant life will require greater spacing between trees and shrubs than a level property that has small, sparse vegetation.
Fire-Safe Landscaping
Fire-safe landscaping isn’t necessarily the same thing as a well-maintained yard. Fire-safe landscaping uses fire-resistant plants that are strategically planted to resist the spread of fire to your home.
Dead Tree Removal
If you have dead or dying trees on your property the entire tree needs to be removed to reduce wildfire risk. Visit https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/dead-tree-removal/ to learn about permit requirements.
Fire Safety Checklist
To properly prepare your home for fire safety, the guidelines are set up by zone. Review the illustration below.
- Zone 1: Within 30 feet of all structures or to the property line. (Letters A-G)
- Zone 2: Within 30-100 feet of all structures or to the property line (Letters H-K)
- Zone 3: Defensible and Reduced Fuel Zone / within 100 feet of all structures or to the property line (Letter L)
- Other Requirements. (Letters M-O)
Interactive Zone Explanations
In the illustration below, hover over each letter to learn the requirements for that section of your property.
PDF Checklist
This checklist and illustration are available to download for future reference.
Remove all branches within 10 feet of any chimney or stovepipe outlet, pursuant to PRC 4291(a)(4) and 14 CCR 1299.03(a)(2)
Remove leaves, needles or other vegetation on roofs, gutters, decks, porches, stairways, etc. pursuant to PRC 429(a)(6) and 14 CCR 1299.03(a)(1).
Remove all dead and dying trees, branches and shrubs, or other plants adjacent to or overhanging buildings, pursuant to PRC 4291 (a)(5) and 14 CCR 1299.03(a)(2)
Remove all dead and dying grass, plants, shrubs, trees, branches, leaves, weeds and needles, pursuant to 14 CCR 1299.03(a)(1)
Remove or separate live flammable ground cover and shrubs, pursuant to PRC 4291 (a)(1) and BOF General Guidelines Item 1.
Remove flammable vegetation and items that could catch fire which are adjacent to, or below, combustible decks, balconies, and stairs, pursuant to 14 CCR 1299.03(a)(4)
Relocate exposed wood piles outside of Zone 1 unless completely covered in a fire-resistant material, pursuant to 14 CCR 1299.03(a)(3).
Cut annual grasses and forbs down to a maximum height of 4 inches, pursuant to 14 CCR 1299.03(b)(2)(B).
Remove fuels in accordance with the Fuel Separation or Continuous Tree Canopy guidelines, pursuant to BOF General Guidelines Item 4.
Remove fuels in accordance with the Fuel Separation or Continuous Tree Canopy guidelines, pursuant to BOF General Guidelines Item 4.
All exposed woodpiles must have a minimum of 10 feet clearance, down to bare mineral soil, in all directions, pursuant to 14 CCR 1299.03(b)(2)(C)
Dead and dying woody surface fuels and aerial fuels shall be removed. Loose surface litter, normally consisting of fallen leaves or needles, twigs, bark, cones, and small branches, shall be permitted to a maximum depth of 3 inches, pursuant to 14 CCR 1299.03(b)(2)(A).
Logs or stumps embedded in the soil must be removed or isolated from other vegetation, pursuant to BOF General Guidelines Item 3.
Outbuildings and Liquid Propane Gas (LPG) storage tanks shall have 10 feet of clearance to bare mineral soil and no flammable vegetation for an additional 10 feet around their exterior, pursuant to 14 CCR 1299.03(c)(1).
Address numbers shall be displayed in contrasting colors (4" min. size) and readable from the street or access road, pursuant to 2016 CFC 505.1.
Equip chimney or stovepipe openings with a metal screen having openings between 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch, pursuant to 2016 CBC 2113.9.2.
