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What is defensible space?

Last Updated: September 21, 2009

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Defensible space refers to the area between a house and an oncoming wildfire where the vegetation has been modified to reduce the wildfire threat and which provides an opportunity for firefighters to effectively defend the house. In the event that firefighters are not available, defensible space improves the likelihood that your house can survive without assistance. See the response to FAQ 2539 for recommended defensible space size. Contact your local fire department for information and recommendations on home inspections and treatment plans.

Browse related Faqs by tag: wildfire, fire, surviving wildfire, defensiblespace, vegetationmanagement, wildfirethreatreduction, firefightersafety


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