Living in Southern Arizona offers beautiful landscapes and sunny days, but it also comes with the risk of wildfires from the dry climate and vegetation, especially if you live in a rural area on the outskirts of Tucson, AZ. Protecting your home from wildfire hazards involves creating survivable space and taking proactive measures to reduce the risk of fire reaching or damaging your property. Here’s a guide from Complete Landscaping on how to create survivable space around your home.

Understanding What Survivable Space Is

Survivable space refers to the area around your home that is strategically managed to reduce the likelihood of fire spreading and damaging the structure. This space serves as a buffer zone, minimizing the impact of wildfire and allowing firefighters better access to protect your property. 

Creating Defensible Zones Based on Danger Levels

The concept of defensible space involves dividing the area around your home into zones based on fire behavior and fuel sources. The immediate zone (0-5 feet from the home) should be free of flammable materials, while the intermediate zone (5-30 feet) requires managed vegetation and reduced fuel loads. The extended zone (30-100 feet) focuses on spacing trees and thinning vegetation to reduce fire intensity. Investing in fire-wise landscaping with Complete Landscaping can help create these zones.

How You Can Reduce Fire’s Fuel

Removing dead vegetation, pruning trees to minimize ladder fuels, and maintaining a well-irrigated and manicured lawn are essential steps. This reduces the fuel available to a wildfire and decreases the likelihood of flames reaching the home. Complete Landscaping offers landscaping services that can clean up your property. 

Be Aware of the Home Ignition Zone

Paying attention to the home itself is crucial. This includes using fire-resistant building materials for roofs and siding, keeping gutters clean from debris, and ensuring vents are screened to prevent ember entry.

Practical Steps to Create Survivable Space

Based on recommendations from the USDA Forest Service, here are preventative steps homeowners in Southern Arizona can take:

• Clear Vegetation – Remove dry brush, grass, and leaves within at least 30 feet around your home. Trim tree branches up to 10 feet above the ground to prevent fire from climbing into the canopy.
• Create Firebreaks – Use non-flammable materials like gravel or rock between landscaping and the home to create a barrier that can stop the spread of fire.
• Maintain Irrigation – Keep plants well-watered, especially during dry seasons, to reduce their flammability. Consider drought-resistant landscaping options to minimize water use while maintaining fire safety. Complete Landscaping can help you implement an efficient irrigation system or help you design a safe landscape.

Utilize Community and Professional Resources

Make sure to check with local fire departments and community organizations to stay informed about wildfire risks and mitigation efforts. They can provide guidance on creating survivable space specific to your home’s conditions and regulations.

Creating survivable space around your Southern Arizona home is a proactive approach to protecting your property and loved ones from wildfire risks. Taking these steps not only enhances your safety but also supports the efforts of firefighters during wildfires. Work with Complete Landscaping to create a fire-wise space around your home. Get a free estimate from our Tucson, AZ, team today.