This homeowner created a five 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 five feet from the side of the home and 10 feet from the rooftop.
- Replace wooden fences with noncombustible metal fences for the first five feet of the home.
- Have plants in noncombustible pots and keep them five feet from windows, vents, or glass.
California State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant demonstrates how smart Zone 0 landscaping should be implemented.