Defensible Space
Especially concerning homes in the Wildland Urban Interface (the area where homes meet the wilderness/are surrounded by forested or grassland areas, etc.), defensible space is key to structures surviving potential widlfires.
Defensible space refers to an area surrounding the home (or other structures) where fuels have been altered to create a barrier and slow the spread of potential wildfires.
photo: Bob Nichols
There are three main elements of defensible space, including:
- Use of fire-resistant building materials
- Reduction of wildland fuels around structures
- Use of fire-resisitant plants in landscaping around structures
Following these guidelines will substantially increase the chances of a structure surviving a wildfire event.
For a printable reference handout, click here.
Related Links:
Preparing Your Home For Wildfire:
- Wildland Urban Interface Property Regulations: Jackson County
- Wildland Urban Interface Property Regulations: Josephine County
- Wildland Urban Interface Property Regulations: Statewide
- Home Evacuation Plans
- Fire Safety In The In The Wildland Urban Interface
- How Homes Ignite
- Defensible Space
- Home Readiness: Reduction Of Fuels Around Structures
- Home Readiness: Fire-Resistant Building Materials
- Primary Fuel Breaks
- Secondary Fuel Breaks
- The Driveway
- Property Lines
- Fire-Resistant Plants
- Planting, Pruning & Upkeep
More On Fuels Management
- Introduction: Fire Prevention-- The Wildland Urban Interface
- The Public & Fire Suppression
- Fuels: An Introduction
- Fuels & Fire
- Open Burning
- Alternatives To Burning
- Contracting: Who & How
Fundamentals of fire Menu
Wildfire suppression Menu
Firefighting aircraft Menu
The Incident management system Menu
Who's who in fire suppression Menu