Creating defensible space is essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. It’s the buffer created between a building and the vegetation on the property, including grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surround it. This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and it protects 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.

Download Defensible Space Inspection Form

Review the Low Cost Retrofit List, the latest suggestions from Cal Fire for suggestions on ways to harden your home, create defensible space, and view additional links for material lists and requirements.

Visit SMFD Certified Fire-Smart Plant Nurseries that agreed to our program's conditions and have a list of fire-smart vegetation characteristics and a copy of our defensible space guidelines. In doing so, they have received a framed “Fire Smart Landscaping Professional” certificate signed by Chief Tubbs and Fire Marshal Hilliard. The Plant Nursery Certification Program will assist the fire prevention division by increasing the likelihood that residents will make fire-smart decisions when landscaping their properties.