Forest fires are becoming a more frequent event each year in the Sierras. Consistently drier years are stressing and killing more plant life, creating dry brush and trees. Although fires are a part of our environment in the Eastern Sierras, there are actions you can take to help protect your home and neighborhood from fire.

Defensible Space

Defensible space is keeping vegetation and dry mulches away from your home as much as reasonably possible. Although many front yards in Carson City are small, we can still take steps to keep more open space and combustibles away from your home. The three areas around the house in the image above represent the different areas of defensible space.

Noncombustible Area

The first 5 feet around the base of your home should be kept free of all combustible materials, including wood mulches, dead or dry vegetation and other debris. Use irrigated herbaceous plants, rock mulches or hard surfaces.

Lean, Clean, and Green Area

Keep the residential landscape area located within the first 30 feet from the home lean, clean and green. Have only a small amount of flammable vegetation, with no accumulation of dead vegetation. Use plants that are healthy, green and irrigated during the hot, dry summer.

Wildland Fuel Reduction Area

Beyond your residential landscape, remove dead vegetation, create separation between shrubs and trees, and remove low tree branches and shrubs under trees.

For additional fire resources, visit livingwithfire.com