Defensible Space Services for Mountain Homes
Reduce wildfire risk, meet insurance requirements, and protect your property
Firefighter and Veteran-Owned
Serving The San Bernardino Mountains
What Is Defensible Space
Defensible Space is the intentional clearing and reduction of hazardous fuels and conditions on your property. This can include but is not limited to:
Clearing vegetation around structures
Creating separation between trees
Removing ladder fuels
Creating or taking advantage of natural fire breaks
Removing dead or hazardous trees
Why Defensible Space Matters in The San Bernardino Mountains
Required by law for fire inspections
Impacts insurance eligibility
Slows or stops fire spread
give firefighters a chance to defend your home
Built By a Firefighter Who Understands Real Fire Behavior
I have been a firefighter for the past 14 years and I have been able to get a great range of experience from the mountains to the foothills, to the high desert. I have been first in on some of the large fires where we were running through the streets making those decisions on what properties we could save. These experiences can ultimately be distilled down to weather, fuels, and topography. We know what actually moves the needle here. We offer beyond just the checklist given by the local fire department. We can bring the real-world experience to give your property the best possible chance in case of wildfire. This goes far beyond tree trimming and weed whacking. this is what sets us apart from the other landscapers, handymen, and tree companies.
What’s Included in Our Defensible Space Work
Brush clearing and removal
Tree thinning and spacing
Ladder fuel removal
Deadwood and debris removal
Property cleanup for compliance
Greenbelt and firebreaks
Defensible Space Zones Explained
Zone 0 0-5 Feet
No combustibles
Clean perimeter
Zone 1 5-30 Feet
Spacing trees and shrubs
Removing ladder fuels
Keeping your weeds down
Zone 2 30-100 Feet
Keep annual grass and weeds down below 4 inches
Create horizontal spacing between trees and shrubs
Create vertical spacing between grass, shrubs, and trees
Remove dead fuels leaving no more than 3 inches of duff
keep 10 feet of clearance around exposed wood piles down to bare mineral soil in all directions
Clear areas around outbuildings, solar arrays and propane tanks. 10 feet clearance in all directions down to mineral soil, and no flammable vegetation for an additional 10 feet from that line.
These are great starting points, but every property has its own unique conditions that may require above and beyond.
Serving The San Bernardino Mountain Communities
Running Springs
Lake Arrowhead
Crestline
Arrowbear Lake
Green Valley Lake
Big Bear Valley
Our Process
Simple, Fast, and Built around YOUR Property
Request your estimate and send in photos
We do an On-site or remote evaluation
We come up with a clear scope of work and firm fixed-bid pricing
We get you on the schedule
We complete the work and leave a clean job site
What Does Defensible Space Work Cost?
Defensible Space costs can vary greatly from property to property.
Some of the factors include:
Lot Size
Vegetation Density
Access
Trees vs. Weeds
We can see a large difference from a basic lot that just requires weed abatement and removing some debris to climbing and technical removals of hazardous trees. A simple lot can go from $400 and a larger property that needs more work may go upwards of $10,000 if we have to remove or climb multiple trees along with whipping weeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Defensible Space in California?
Yes, it is required in the whole state, and each fire jurisdiction will typically have their own requirements and additional guidance. We will walk you through the whole process.
Will this help with insurance?
Yes, this will help with insurability. Insurance carriers are much pickier these days with all the fire losses we have experienced statewide. Going above and beyond the requirements tends to be very helpful when it comes to this.
How long does it take?
Time varies depending on many factors but a small property with just weeds may take a few hours and some larger properties may take a few days depending on the scope of work.
Do you remove all my trees?
No, we may remove dead or other trees that pose a hazard but we make every effort to keep your property beautiful and balanced.