This homeowner created a 5-foot Zone 0 buffer using smart landscaping and noncombustible materials—and they still have a yard with grass, trees, and flowers spaced out with nothing flammable right against the home.
“Zone 0 isn’t about going bare,” says State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant. “It’s about smart spacing and fire-resistant choices.”
Homes with a Zone 0 are nearly twice as likely to survive a wildfire, according to recent scientific studies. Start here:
- Limb up trees 5-feet from the side of the home and 10-feet from the rooftop.
- Replace wooden fences with non-combustible metal fences for the first 5-feet of the home.
- Have plants in non-combustible pots and keep them 5-feet from windows, vents, or glass.
California State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant demonstrates how smart Zone 0 landscaping should be implemented.
