Because of a combination of rising temperatures and reduced rainfall in the summer, the risk of wildfires is on the rise in Pierce County. There are easy adjustments that you can implement on your property to be FireWise, and prepared in the case of a wildfire. Follow these tips for the 3 Zones of Defensible Space.

The primary goal for Firewise landscaping is fuel reduction — limiting the amount of flammable vegetation and materials surrounding the home and increasing the moisture content of remaining vegetation. The home itself and everything around it up to 100 – 200 feet is known as the ‘home ignition zone.' Within this 200 foot area, there are three zones:

Zone 1 encircles the structure and all its attachments (wooden decks, fences, and boardwalks)for at least 30 feet on all sides. Note: the 30-foot number comes from the very minimum distance, on flat ground, that a wood wall can be separated from the radiant heat of large flames without igniting. In this area: 

• Plants should be carefully spaced, low-growing and free of resins, oils and waxes that burn easily. 
• Mow the lawn regularly. Prune trees up six to ten feet from the ground. 
• Trim back trees that overhang the house, and make sure gutters are clear of debris.
• Create a ‘fire-free’ area within five feet of the home, using non-flammable landscaping materials and/or high-moisture-content annuals and perennials. 
• Remove dead vegetation from under deck and within 10 feet of house. 
• Consider fire-resistant material for patio furniture, swing sets, etc. 
• Remove firewood stacks and propane tanks; they should not be located in this zone. 

Zone 2 is 30 to 100 feet from the home, and plants in this zone should be low-growing, well irrigated and less flammable. In this area:

Leave 30 feet between clusters of two to three trees, or 20 feet between individual trees.

Encourage a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees. 

Create ‘fuel breaks’, like driveways, gravel walkways and lawns. 

Prune trees up six to ten feet from the ground. 

 Zone 3 is 100 to 200 feet from the home and this area should be thinned, although less space is required than in Zone 2. NOTE: Because of other factors such as topography, the recommended distances to mitigate for radiant heat exposure actually extend between 100 to 200 feet from the home – on a site-specific basis. In this area:

• Remove smaller conifers that are growing between taller trees. 
• Remove heavy accumulation of woody debris. 
• Reduce the density of tall trees so canopies are not touching. 

Chipper Days Coming in June
Some of the ways that you can create defensible space against wildfire are removing low-hanging tree limbs and debris from near your home. If you need help to have that debris removed, email christinec@piercecd.org, and we will try to arrange a time to bring a chipper to your neighborhood.