Creating Defensible Space:
Safeguarding Your Home and Landscape
Defensible space is a proactive wildfire protection strategy designed to reduce fire risk and protect homes and landscapes in wildfire-prone areas like Colorado’s Denver metro area. By establishing buffer zones around your property, you can slow or stop the spread of wildfire, increasing the chances that your home survives a fire event.
At Keep It Green Tree Care, we specialize in defensible space creation, ensuring that homeowners like you are prepared for wildfire season.
What is Defensible Space?
Defensible space is a strategically maintained area around your home that acts as a barrier against wildfire. By reducing flammable vegetation, creating firebreaks, and properly spacing trees and shrubs, you can minimize the risk of fire spreading to structures.
Why is Defensible Space Important in Colorado?
✅ Colorado’s hot, dry climate makes it vulnerable to wildfires.
✅ Wind-driven fires can spread rapidly, leaving little time to react.
✅ Creating defensible space protects firefighters, making it easier to defend your home.
Defensible Space Zones
To effectively reduce wildfire risk, Colorado’s fire safety guidelines divide defensible space into three zones:
🛑 Zone 1: Immediate Zone (0-5 feet from your home)
✔️ Remove all flammable materials, including dry leaves and dead vegetation.
✔️ Keep grass trimmed to a maximum of 4 inches.
✔️ Use non-combustible landscaping like gravel, stone, or fire-resistant plants.
✔️ Store firewood at least 30 feet away from structures.
🔥 Zone 2: Intermediate Zone (5-30 feet from your home)
✔️ Create spacing between trees and shrubs to prevent fire from spreading.
✔️ Keep low branches trimmed at least 6-10 feet above the ground.
✔️ Remove highly flammable vegetation, such as juniper and pine.
✔️ Maintain well-hydrated, fire-resistant plants to reduce fuel load.
🌲 Zone 3: Extended Zone (30-100 feet from your home)
✔️ Thin trees to reduce overall fuel density.
✔️ Maintain at least 10 feet of space between tree canopies.
✔️ Remove fallen leaves, branches, and excess ground debris.
✔️ Cut back tall grasses and dry brush to prevent fire from creeping closer.
📷 Image: Illustration of defensible space zones
(Alt text: )
When to Prepare Your Defensible Space?
Creating defensible space is not a one-time task—it requires regular maintenance throughout the year:
🗓️ Spring (March – May):
✔️ Conduct initial pruning and clearing before fire season begins.
✔️ Check for winter damage and remove dead vegetation.
🗓️ Summer (June – August):
✔️ Mow and trim grass regularly to prevent fuel buildup.
✔️ Inspect and adjust irrigation for plant hydration.
🗓️ Fall (September – November):
✔️ Clear fallen leaves and debris before winter.
✔️ Thin trees and shrubs to maintain proper spacing.
Why Choose Keep It Green Tree Care?
We provide expert defensible space creation and maintenance, ensuring that your property is wildfire-ready. Our certified arborists:
✔️ Follow Colorado Firewise guidelines to maximize safety.
✔️ Use science-based methods to reduce fire hazards without harming your landscape.
✔️ Offer affordable defensible space solutions for homeowners and businesses.
Get a Free Defensible Space Consultation!
Wildfires are unpredictable—but preparing your home doesn’t have to be. Take action today by creating a wildfire-resistant landscape with Keep It Green Tree Care.
📞 Call us at (303) 945-9220 or 📩 Fill out our online consultation form here → Schedule a Consultation
Let’s work together to protect your home and community from wildfires! 🔥🌲🏡