The term “defensible space” describes vegetation management practices aimed at reducing wildfire threats to homes. A defensible space is the area between a house/building/community and an on-coming wildfire where the vegetation has been changed to lessen the wildfire threat and to provide an opportunity for firefighters to protect the area. Sometimes, a defensible space is simply a homeowner’s properly maintained backyard.

Many people do not see the plants growing on their property as a threat. The plants next to the property can have an influence on the ability of a fire to survive. If plants are properly cut or removed, a wildfire can be slowed, the length of flames shortened, and the amount of heat reduced, which can assist firefighters to protect the property.

Action projects:

• Send us a before and after picture of a building/ home/ area that had no defensible space before, and now has one and earn a whopping 200 points for the group!

Decrease Fire Hazards at Your School, Club or Community

Fire hazards act as fuel or a heat source for fire such as waste, litter, oil, gas tanks, dry leaves, and old tires - the list is endless. For this action project we would like to see a before and after picture of an area where the fire hazards were removed. This project will earn you 150 points.