Defensible Space and Hazardous Fuel Reduction (HFR) – The Santa Clara County FireSafe Council

What is Defensible Space and why is it important?

Creating defensible space is essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. It’s the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surround it. This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and it protects your home from catching fire—either from direct flame contact or radiant heat. It is also important for the protection of the firefighters defending your home. Visit our creating defensible space page to learn about what you can do to protect your property.

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What is Hazardous Fuel Reduction?

Hazardous fuel reduction projects and vegetation treatments have been proven as a means of lessening wildfire hazards, catastrophic fire and its threat to public and firefighter safety, and damage to property.

The objective is to remove enough vegetation (fuel) so that when a wildfire burns, it is less severe and can be more easily managed. Learn more about Hazardous Fuel Reduction (HFR)

Does SCCFSC offer any programs to its community?

SCCFSC offers Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) assessments for individual homeowners. A trained representative from the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council will come to your home and walk your property with you for 60 minutes. We will review defensible space and home hardening principles and make recommendations for your property. You will receive a written copy of our recommendations.

REQUEST HOME IGNITION ZONE (HIZ) ASSESSMENT

Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) Assessment Request Form

We are currently only accepting HIZ requests for Saratoga and Los Altos Hills due to grant funding.

HIZs are entirely funded by grants and we currently have no funds left in our grants except for with the City of Saratoga and the City of Los Altos Hills. We are hoping to secure more funding in Q1 of 2023.

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Every spring, SCCFSC offers chipping services to residents who have created defensible space on their property.

Visit our Chipping page for more information