Defensible space
- Aug 3
- 2 min read
Protect your home’s exterior against fire.
Fires can erupt anywhere in this hot, dry weather in the Willamette Valley. Creating defensible space around your home has been proven to help protect it.
Think of defensible space as a buffer zone around your house that can slow or stop the spread of fire. We turned to Sandy Roberts, deputy fire marshal for the City of Albany, for advice. “Most fires start from an ember. During extreme weather, the embers can travel miles,” said Roberts. Your city’s fire department as well as the Oregon State Fire Marshal, offers a wealth of information to help.
There’s much you can do to “harden” your home’s exterior against fires, including siding, fencing, decking and more. “It can be overwhelming,” Roberts acknowledges. “Most of the time, it’s about maintenance.” She notes that many of the tasks can be broken down into weekend projects. “We want people to take action.”
“Most fires start from an ember. During extreme weather, the embers can travel miles,”
Deputy Fire Marshal Sandy Roberts
Vents
Soffits, crawl spaces, eaves…there are all kinds of open spaces to your home that, without proper mesh coverings, can suck up embers and set your home ablaze. And all mesh isn’t created equal: you need 1/8-inch wire mesh. The investment in 1/8-inch size (and wire, not plastic-type material) serves double duty against unwelcome critters and fire.
Wood pile
Keep firewood and lumber 30 feet or more away from the house and other structures.
Vegetation
Trees and tall vegetation should be 10 feet from your home, chimney and nearby power lines. With tall trees, it’s recommended to remove branches six feet from the ground. In a perfect world, each tree or tall vegetation is at least 10 feet from others. Additionally:
Keep leaves, needles, wood and other debris out of your defensible space.
Consider fire-resistant plants.
A word about bark mulch: it’s flammable, so keep it at least 5 feet away from structures. If you have spots of it in your landscaping, surround it with non-flammable materials.
Propane
Remove combustible vegetation in a 10-foot radius of permanent propane tanks. Empty or partially used tanks for BBQ grills should be stored 30 feet away from buildings.
ROOFS & GUTTERS
If you have pine needles, leaves or any other kind of debris on your roof, get it cleaned up. If you need a new roof, do it. It’s a major purchase, but its protective value is strong as lifted shingles can trap an ember. Don’t forget about the gutters, too: keep them cleaned out. “Metal is better than plastic,” said Roberts. Skip the vinyl kind, and spring for a more fire-resistant material.
Get a free assessment
Oregonians can get free defensible space assessments. The Oregon State Fire Marshal website features a link that will guide you to scheduling in your area. An expert will then come to your house and provide specific tips and education to help. It’s well worth your time!
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