01
Defensible space
Start close to home.
Understand the relationship between your home, the first few feet around it, and the vegetation beyond.
Explore the approachLAND. HOME. PEACE OF MIND.
Make room for
resilience.
A more prepared property starts with a clearer plan. Understand defensible space, manage vegetation thoughtfully, and know what to ask before the work begins.
Independent guidance. Practical next steps. No account needed.
Thoughtful land. Better preparation.
Understand your property Make thoughtful choices Keep a practical routine
THE BIG PICTURE
Clearing is a task.
Preparedness is a practice.
Good planning connects the home, the surrounding land, and the care that comes afterward. Start with these three ideas.
02
Vegetation management
Manage what connects.
Think about where vegetation connects, what should stay, and what happens to the material you remove.
Explore the approach03
Ongoing maintenance
Make readiness a habit.
Build a manageable routine for new growth, fallen debris, access, and the seasons where you live.
Explore the approach
START HERE. WORK OUTWARD.
A little space
makes a difference.
The area closest to a home deserves close attention. Use these common home ignition zones to organize your planning.
Look closest to home.
Notice debris, combustible mulch, stored materials, and attached features. Discuss a noncombustible area around the structure with your local assessor.
Break up the connections.
Review the arrangement of vegetation, branches, and other fuels. Plant health, spacing, and maintenance matter alongside the home itself.
Consider the larger landscape.
Ask about dense growth, dead material, terrain, and vegetation that connects ground fuels to branches. Stay within your property and local requirements.
General planning distances, not universal legal requirements. Terrain and local rules vary. Based on NFPA guidance.
THE FIELD GUIDES
Less guesswork.
Better questions.
Defensible space starts with the home.
Understand the three distance bands, set sensible priorities, and turn a large clearing project into a practical property plan.
Read the guideBrush clearing or forestry mulching?
Compare the intended result, the material left behind, and the site constraints before choosing equipment.
Read the guide
A better brief makes a better estimate.
Prepare a clear scope, ask useful questions, and compare vegetation-management proposals on more than price.
Read the guideFROM READING TO READY
Your next step,
made clearer.
Turn what you’re noticing into a practical checklist for your property.
Build my property planYOUR PROPERTY PLAN
Priorities that fit your property
Questions for a local professional
A checklist to print and keep
Free to use. No email required.
GROUND YOUR PLAN IN YOUR PLACE
Local knowledge.
A better starting point.
Vegetation and requirements change from place to place. Find official state resources, then talk with the authority responsible for your property.
Other states & national resources →A FEW COMMON QUESTIONS
Start with
the essentials.
Does defensible space mean removing every tree?
No. The aim is to manage vegetation and other fuels thoughtfully, including their spacing, condition, and relationship to structures. What stays and what changes depends on the site and local guidance.
Where should I start?
Start with the home itself and the area immediately around it, then work outward. Our planner helps organize observations and questions for a local fire authority or qualified professional. It does not assess wildfire risk or certify compliance.
Is this a land-clearing contractor?
Wildfire Clearing is an independent planning and education resource. We do not currently dispatch crews, verify a contractor network, or promise service availability. Our guides help you prepare for a local assessment and compare proposed work.
Can I use the planner without giving you my email?
Yes. The planner runs in your browser without an account or email address. Your entries are not submitted to us. You can print a checklist or download a text copy to keep or share yourself.