Fire Defensible Space
More than 2,000,000 California households (almost one in four) are located in high- to very-high fire hazard zones. To find out if your property is affected, visit the CalFire website and enter your address. ReadyForWildfire.org provides information on fire hardening, including current building standards and minimum annual vegetation management standards to protect homes from wildfires.
On August 18, 2026, California's Board of Forestry and Fire Protection adopted tougher rules to help protect communities from fires. Homeowners in wildfire-prone areas must limit plants within 5 feet of their house. Local fire departments and state agencies will enforce the new rules through annual home inspections.
Zone 0 (0 to 5 feet from structures)Immediate Safety Zone: The first 1 foot from the base of the home (or out to the edge of the roof eaves, whichever is farther) must be completely free of all vegetation, combustible mulch, wood chips, and bark. Outer Zone 0 (1 to 5 feet): Allow low-growth, well-spaced, and maintained non-woody plants (such as succulents or native low ground cover) if neatly grouped and separated. Attachments: Mitigate or upgrade combustible fencing and storage attached to, or within 5 feet of the structure.
Zone 1 (5 to 30 feet from structures): Remove all dead plants, grass, and weeds. Clear dead leaves and pine needles from the yard, roof, and rain gutters. Trim overhanging tree branches so they stay at least 10 feet away from chimneys. Move wood piles and heavy combustible storage out into Zone 2.
Zone 2 (30 to 100 feet from structures): Cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of 4 inches. Create horizontal and vertical spacing between remaining shrubs and trees. Remove fallen leaves, needles, and small twigs (though a shallow layer up to 3 inches deep may be permitted depending on local rules)
Recommendation. Boards and homeowners should request a defensible space inspection to determine whether their properties meet new fire safety requirements. For more information, see Defensible Space Program and Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Wildfire Assessment & Defensible Space Companies
Companies that offer inspection, assessment, structure hardening, and defensible space services are:
• Wildfire Services Group
• M&M Tree Service
• Wildfire Warden
As we learn of other companies offering such services, we will add them to this section. The information was sent to us by others and should not be construed as an endorsement by ADAMS|STIRLING. Boards must conduct due diligence and ensure that the company they hire is licensed and insured.
Escrow Disclosures
See related issues in "Fire Safety Escrow Disclosures."
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