Do you have at least 30 ft of space surrounding your home that is Lean, Clean and Green?
The objective of Defensible Space is to reduce the wildfire threat to your home by changing the characteristics of the surrounding vegetation.

Lean - Prune shrubs and cut back tree branches, especially within 15 ft of your chimney.
Clean - Remove all dead plant material from around your home; this includes dead leaves, dry grass and even stacked firewood
Green - Plant fire-resistant vegetation that is healthy and green throughout the year.

Attachments include any structure connected to your home, such as decks, porches or fences. If an attachment to a home is NOT fire-resistant, then the home as a whole is NOT firewise

The time to plan for a fire emergency is now. Take a few minutes to discuss with your family what actions you will need to take.

· Post your local firefighting agency's telephone number in a visible place.

• Decide where you will go and how you will get there. Unlike evacuating for a hurricane, with fire you may only have a moments notice. Two escape routes out of your home and out of your neighborhood are preferable.

· Have tools available: shovel, rake, axe, handsaw or chainsaw, and 2 Gallon bucket

· Maintain and adequate water source

· Have a plan for your pets

· Practice family fire drills

With firewise landscaping, you can create defensible space around your home that reduces your wildfire threat. Large, leafy, hardwood trees should be pruned so that the lowest branches are at least 6 to 10 ft high to prevent a fire on the ground from spreading up to the tree tops. Within the defensible space, remove flammable plants that contain resins, oils and waxes that burn readily: Palmetto, wax myrtle, yaupon holly, red cedar, and young pine. A list of less-flammable plants can be found within  in the Landscaping Checklist.

Firewise construction materials include Class-A asphalt shingles, metal, cement and concrete products. Additionally, the inclusion of a fire-resistant sub-roof adds protection.

Wall materials which resist heat and flames include cement, plaster, stucco and concrete masonry.  Double pane glass windows can make a home more resistant to wildfire heat and flames.

Identify your home and neighborhood with legible and clearly marked street names and numbers so emergency vehicles can rapidly find the location of the emergency. Include a driveway that is at least 12 feet wide with a vertical clearance of 15 feet Ð to provide access to emergency apparatus.