What’s the most important 5 feet around your home?

When it comes to wildfire preparedness, it is the area immediately surrounding your home and outbuildings. This area is known as Zone 1 of the Home Ignition Zone. It extends from the structure out to 5 feet and is the most important place to reduce the risk of ember ignition and direct flame contact. More homes ignite from embers than from direct flames. Pine needles, dry leaves, wood mulch, dry grass and other combustible materials next to a structure can catch those embers and carry fire directly to the home.

What should Zone 1 look like?
The goal is to create and maintain a noncombustible area around the home and other structures.
Use materials such as:
  • Gravel or crushed stone
  • Rock
  • Pavers
  • Concrete, brick or flagstone
Avoid combustible materials such as wood mulch, shrubs, firewood and stored items in this zone.

Zone 1 Checklist
Take a walk around your home and check the first 5 feet:
  • Remove flammable vegetation, mulch, slash and woody debris.
  • Rake and remove pine needles, dry leaves and other organic debris.
  • Keep roofs, decks and gutters clear.
  • Do not store firewood or other combustible items next to the house or under decks.
  • Remove anything stored beneath decks and porches.
  • Prune branches over the roof and remove fuels within 10 feet of the chimney.
  • Extend the same protection around garages, sheds, barns and other outbuildings.

Zone 1 requires ongoing maintenance. Even a rock-covered area can collect pine needles and leaves, so inspect and clean it regularly.

Start here. If you complete only one wildfire mitigation project first, make it the first five feet.

Stay safe and wildfire ready