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The national database of state and local wildfire hazard mitigation programs
serves as a clearinghouse of information about nonfederal policies and
programs that seek to reduce the risk of loss of life and property through
the reduction of hazardous fuels on private lands. If
you would like to submit a program to the national wildfire programs database,
please complete the following form (MS
Word).
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Title: |
California Fire Safe Council
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Type: |
Homeowner assistance
Education
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Jurisdiction: |
State
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State: |
California
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Program Description: |
The California Fire Safe Council was formed in 1993 and is comprised of 50 diverse public and private organizations in California and throughout the nation. The fundamental mission of the Council is to "preserve California's natural and manmade resources by mobilizing all Californians to make their homes, neighborhoods and communities fire safe." The Council seeks to achieve these objectives through education outreach to industry, government, community groups and private property owners concerning steps that can be taken to effectively reduce the risks associated with wildfire. The California Fire Safe Council encourages the formation of local and county Fire Safe Councils throughout the state to further a variety of fire safety programs at the grassroots level. By 2002, the Council has received $3.8 million in funding from the Bureau of Land Management to support local wildire prevention and mitigation efforts in California's Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas. In addition, the group regularly conducts systematic reviews and evaluations of public policies relating to fire safety.
The organization offers guidelines for Fire Safe Landscaping for homes and business. This includes the use of 4 safety zones designed to further a more fire-resistant landscape. One of the major objectives of this landscape management scheme is to reduce plant fire ladders. These fire ladders are plants of different heights that allow fire to spread from the ground to the tops of the trees or tree canopies. Another objective is to remove potential horizontal fire paths or avenues that allow fire to jump from one plant to the next.
Zone 1 consists of the area within 30 feet of the structure located on a piece of land. In this area vegetation should be low volume, fire resistant, consistently maintained and well watered. Grasses should be no higher than 3 inches; plants less than 18 inches; and trees should be no closer than 10 feet from the structure. In addition, the crowns of trees should be at least 10 feet off the ground and branches must not be allowed to grow into power lines.
Zone 2 is located 30 to 50 feet from the property's structure. Here trees should be at least 10 feet apart with crowns 10 feet or higher from the ground. In addition, trees should be at least 10 feet from overhead power lines. Grasses in Zone 2 should be no higher than 6 inches and mulch or clippings should be removed from the area. The guidlines for shrubs and bushes set distance between them as 2 times their heights.
The area 50 to 100 feet from the property's structure is designated as Zone 3. In this area, clusters or "islands" or plantings may be planted, leaving a distance betwwen the groupings of at least 3 times the tallest shrub or tree. This clustering of plantings is encourages since it is a more water-efficient pattern than placing plants more evenly throughout the landscape.
Zone 4 is that area farthest from the structure, 100 or more feet away. The recommendations here are for grass to be kept at 12 inches or less and for clippings or mulch to be removed from the area.
The following documents are helpful to California communities and residents in defining fire safe landscapes: "Public Resource Code (PRC) Section 4290 and 4291 are required in all high fire hazard severity zones in State Responsibility Areas. They are also the recommended minimum standards for any area at risk for wildfire. PRC 4290 sets minimum standards for public properties. Section 4291 sets fire safe standards for private property owners."
For more information view the California Fire Safe Council website or contact the Council at their Email Address.
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