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Defensible Space

Useful Links

Defensible Space involves thinning and trimming the trees and bushes on our properties to lessen the fire danger.  The following links provide more detailed information:


Is your home Wildfire Ember-Resistant?


Some homes have survived recent wildfires while others have not, and we are learning why. 

Assembly Bill 3074, passed into law in 2020, requires new regulation in the area closest to the home to prevent a wildfire from getting to your home. This law requires the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to develop a regulation for a new Ember-Resistant Zone (Zone 0) in the area within 0 to 5 feet of the home, by January 1, 2023. 

Science has proven the Ember-Resistant Zone to be the most important of all the defensible space zones.  This zone includes the area under and around all attached decks and within the 5 feet from your home and requires the most stringent wildfire fuel reduction. 

Go to Readyforwildfire.org for more information on preparing for wildfire.


Bill Seline is the Fire Chief for the Truckee Fire Protection District.  billseline@truckeefire.org


The Ember-Resistant zone includes the area under and around all attached decks and within the 5 feet from your home and requires the most stringent wildfire fuel reduction.  It is designed to keep fire or embers from igniting materials that can spread the fire to your home.  The following provides guidance and best practices for this zone, which may change based on the regulation developed by the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.

In the 0-5 feet from your home:

  • Use hardscape like gravel, pavers, concrete and other noncombustible materials. No combustible bark, pine needles, chips or mulch

  • Remove all dead and dying weeds, grass, plants, shrubs, trees, branches and vegetative debris (leaves, needles, cones, bark, etc.)

  • Remove all branches within 10 feet of any chimney or stovepipe outlet

  • Limit combustible items (outdoor furniture, planters, etc.) on top of decks

  • Relocate firewood and lumber 30’ from home

  • Replace combustible fencing, gates, and arbors attach to the home with noncombustible alternatives

  • Relocating garbage and recycling containers outside this zone

  • Relocating boats, RVs, vehicles and other combustible items outside this zone, if possible

Examples of Ember-Resistant defensible spaces

Ember Resistant 1
Ember Resistant 3
Ember Resistant 2

Serene Lakes Community

Thank you for creating and maintaining defensible space. Be a good neighbor and do your part in making Serene Lakes safer and better prepared. Should we ever have to face fire in our community, our goal is to keep the fire on the ground.

Defensible space is the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surround it. This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and it helps protect your home from catching fire—either from embers, direct flame contact or radiant heat.

Tracking what we do in with regard to defensible space in our community is essential to maintaining our Firewise Certification. If you have worked on your property to create defensible space, PLEASE REPORT this activity by completing this Defensible Space Reporting for FireWise.

Fire Safety and Defensible Space Alert - 3 Things to Do

 

1.  If you hired tree services or defensible space experts, please report your work no later than September 30.  Report your work on Defensible Space Reporting Form. Your efforts "count" towards maintaining our FireWise Certification.  

 

2.  Check out your lot for dead trees and have them removed. These years of drought are taking a toll on our trees.  Many more dead trees are starting to appear. If you have dead trees on your property, please make arrangements to promptly remove them.  The Truckee Fire contacted our Safety Committee to make this request of our community.

 

3.  Take this opportunity to plan your tree services for next year. Believe it or not ... Tree services are giving bids for next year's work.  Get on their schedules early. If you need a tree service, refer to Tree Services below for those who actively support our community, 

 

 

Defensible space is a community sport.  Everyone has to play.

Tree Service Partners


Defensible Space
Serene Lakes
Tree Service
Partners

Hall Tree Service
Timber Wolfe

See a Property needing defensible space work?

If you see a property in need of defensible space or you are not sure, scroll down to the “complaint/referral” section of the Truckee Fire website and provide the necessary information.  Your information is confidential. The Truckee Fire prevention/defensible space team will evaluate the lot. Last year, they evaluated many lots resulting in owners taking action to create defensible space. Remember, it is a team sport. Everyone plays.