Defensible Space Assessments: Enhancing Community Safety

As a CAL FIRE Qualified Entity, we proudly offer Defensible Space Assessments as part of our commitment to wildfire prevention and safety. This certification allows us to conduct assessments that help protect homes and properties from the devastating effects of wildfires.

What is Defensible Space?

Defensible space is the buffer zone you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland surrounding area. This space is designed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and protect your home from catching fire, either from direct flame contact or radiant heat. Defensible space also provides firefighters a safe area to work in during firefighting efforts.

What is Home Hardening?

Home hardening involves making specific modifications to your home to improve its resistance to wildfires. This includes using fire-resistant materials for roofing, siding, and decks, installing ember-resistant vents, and upgrading windows and doors to withstand heat and flames. By hardening your home, you reduce its vulnerability to embers, radiant heat, and direct flames, significantly increasing the chances of your home surviving a wildfire.

Home hardening works hand-in-hand with defensible space to create a more comprehensive approach to wildfire safety.

How Does Being a Qualified Entity Benefit Our Community?

As a qualified entity, HDEAA.org is authorized to:

  • Conduct Defensible Space Assessments: We assess properties for compliance with state defensible space requirements. This includes evaluating the clearance of vegetation, addressing structural vulnerabilities, and making recommendations to reduce fire risks.

  • Educate Property Owners: We provide valuable education on how to improve wildfire safety around homes, including tips on home hardening—making a property more resistant to wildfires by using fire-resistant materials and construction techniques.

  • Support Compliance: By helping property owners meet CAL FIRE's standards, we reduce the overall fire risk in our community, making it safer for everyone.

What Happens During a Defensible Space Assessment?

Our trained assessors will visit your property to evaluate the following:

  • Vegetation Management: Ensuring proper clearance of flammable vegetation within the required distance from structures.

  • Structural Vulnerabilities: Identifying areas where your home could be hardened against wildfire, such as roof materials, vents, and windows.

  • Education: Guiding on maintaining defensible space and steps you can take to protect your property further.

How This Program Was Established

The Defensible Space Assessment program, which HDEAA.org is part of, was established through key legislative efforts aimed at improving wildfire prevention. Senate Bill 63 (SB 63) and Assembly Bill 642 (AB 642) played a significant role in this initiative. These laws mandated the identification of high fire hazard zones and expanded fire safety standards. Importantly, they created the Defensible Space Assessment program, empowering qualified entities like HDEAA.org to conduct assessments, manage vegetation, and educate the public on reducing wildfire risks. This legislative foundation underscores the critical role HDEAA.org plays in protecting our community from wildfires.

Why is This Important?

Properties that comply with defensible space requirements are significantly more likely to survive a wildfire. In fact, homes that meet these standards are six times more likely to withstand a wildfire than those that do not. By conducting these assessments, we are actively reducing the risk of wildfires spreading through our community and improving the overall resilience of our area.

Get Involved

We encourage all property owners to schedule a Defensible Space Assessment. Together, we can protect our homes, community, and natural environment from the threat of wildfires.