Wildfire Home Protection:
Your Yard is the First Line of Defense

As wildfires grow more frequent and intense across the U.S., homeowners are being urged to rethink how their yards serve not just as living spaces—but as active barriers against disaster. The key to that shift lies in defensible space, a proven strategy for slowing wildfire spread and increasing a home's chance of survival.

According to CAL FIRE, homes with effective defensible space are 80% more likely to survive a wildfire. And while California has led efforts in defining defensible space zones, states like Colorado, Arizona, Oregon, and Washington are increasingly adopting similar guidelines.

What Is Defensible Space?

Defensible space refers to the buffer zones between a structure and surrounding vegetation, materials, and terrain. These zones reduce fire intensity and give emergency crews safer ground to protect a home. The concept is codified in NFPA 1140 and NFPA 1144, the national standards for wildfire mitigation near structures.  

There are three core zones every homeowner should know:

Zone 0 (0–5 feet): This is the most critical zone. Use only non-combustible materials like gravel, rock, pavers, or bare soil. Avoid wood fences attached to the home—install a 5 foot metal gate break between the structure and the wood fence, instead. Zone 0 is designed toprevent wind-blown embers from igniting material that can spread fire to the structure, , the leading cause of home loss in wildfires.

Zone 1 (5–30 feet): Focus on spacing vegetation. Trim trees six feet above ground, separate shrubs, and remove dead plants. Keep this area lean and green.

Zone 2 (30–100 feet): Reduce continuous fuels. Cut grass short, remove fallen leaves and pine needles regularly, and relocate firewood far from the structure.  

“Defensible space is not about stripping your property bare,” said Tammy Schwartz, Guidewire’s Senior Director of Analytics. “Healthy trees with high moisture, non-combustible mulch, and smart spacing can make a home more fire-resilient—without losing curb appeal.”  

Fire-Wise Landscaping: Resilience Meets Design

A wildfire-resistant yard can still be beautiful. With the right plants and structures, defensible space becomes part of your landscape’s style and sustainability.

Tips for fire-wise landscaping:

• Use native, drought-tolerant plants: Species like manzanita, sage, or California lilac resist ignition and require less water. Check your state’s fire-safe plant list for local options.
• Avoid flammable invasives: Pampas grass, Scotch broom, and juniper are high-risk species in many regions.
• Install vegetation breaks: Dry creek beds, gravel paths, or stone patios break up fire pathways and double as design features.
• Add elevated hardscape: Raised planters and retaining walls act as thermal barriers and disrupt ember travel, reducing radiant heat exposure near the structure.

“Every small decision, including the right plant, the right mulch, and the right maintenance adds up,” said Schwartz. “Your yard is your first shield.”

Maintenance Is Non-Negotiable

Creating defensible space isn’t a one-time project. It’s seasonal and essential.

Here are some simple but effective maintenance actions:

• Mow weekly during the dry season, keeping grass under four inches
• Clear gutters before Red Flag days
• Prune tree limbs 6–10 feet above ground
• Remove dry leaves, pine needles, and dead vegetation
• Check for plant disease, which lowers moisture and increases flammability
• Tag “fire ladder” vegetation—shrubs or vines that let fire climb into tree canopies

Routine upkeep not only reduces risk; it strengthens your insurance position. Keep logs and photos of your efforts to support mitigation appeals or discounts.  

Proven Results: Defensible Space and Wildfire Survival

During the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California, some homes remained standing while others burned to the foundation. Why? Defensible space.

Studies by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) found that homes with gravel buffers, spaced plantings, and well-maintained yards had significantly higher survival rates. One IBHS case documented a home that survived due to a 30-foot lawn, rock perimeter, and well-pruned trees.  that homes with features like gravel perimeters, well-spaced shrubs, and cleared vegetation were significantly more likely to survive. 

One IBHS case study documented a home that survived due to a 30-foot lawn, rock perimeter, and well-pruned trees. Open yards reduce radiant heat transmission, lowering temperatures near walls and windows and giving homes a better chance of withstanding ember storms.  

Wildfire Risk Scoring and Property Data

Wildfire exposure is no longer a vague estimate. Today’s tools, like HazardHub wildfire scores, evaluate parcel-level risk using more variables than all of the legacy wildfire risk providers combined, including but not limited to

• Vegetation composition and density
• slope and aspect
• wildFire history and distance to prior burn areas
• Distance to high or very high risk wildland areas
• drought frequency
• average precipitation during wildfire season
• annual maximum temperature

These scores influence insurance decisions, evacuation planning, and eligibility for mitigation funding.

Homeowners in high-risk zones may qualify for financial assistance through California’s Fire Prevention Grants, FEMA’s Community Wildfire Defense Grants, and other state programs.  

Insurance’s Role in Encouraging Resilience

Insurance professionals also play a vital role. By recognizing and rewarding mitigation practices, insurers promote individual and community-wide resilience. As risk models evolve, incorporating defensible space into underwriting decisions is becoming standard. Some carriers offer policy discounts or reconsider non-renewals when homeowners can demonstrate wildfire risk reduction efforts.

Many insurers are also taking note of Firewise USA–recognized communities, where neighbors come together to reduce wildfire risk through coordinated vegetation management, defensible space upkeep, and emergency preparedness. In Colorado, being part of a designated Firewise community can signal to insurers that residents are taking wildfire mitigation seriously.

Take Action: Start with Your Yard

Begin by walking your property with this article in hand. Mark every flammable item within five feet of your home—mulch, brooms, firewood, shrubs—and start prioritizing. Small changes can dramatically shift your risk profile.

Your calendar for wildfire prep according to ______________ for residents in ___________________ :

• March: Pre-season inspection, tree pruning, mulch replacement
• May–June: Clear Zone 0, mow frequently, install ember-resistant features
• July–September: Summer/Post-summer debris removal, firewood relocation
• October–November: Gutter cleaning before wind events, document upgrades

Then, take the Guidewire HazardHub Quiz to identify your next steps. A fire-smart yard could make the difference between loss and survival—not just for your home, but your entire neighborhood.