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What Does It Mean to Create a Wildfire Defensible Space?

Ash Rock Tree Services • 19 February 2025
A car is driving down a road in front of a forest fire.

Oregon’s wildfire seasons have become more intense, making it crucial for property owners to take preventative measures. One of the most effective ways to protect your home or business from wildfire damage is by creating a defensible space. At Ash Rock Tree Services, we specialize in wildfire risk reduction, helping homeowners and businesses establish safer landscapes that minimize fire hazards. A defensible space is a carefully maintained buffer zone that reduces the spread of fire by eliminating flammable vegetation and other fuel sources around a structure. This space not only protects buildings but also provides firefighters with a safer area to defend your property.


What are Wildfire Defensible Zones?

A well-designed defensible space consists of three key zones. The first zone, which extends five feet from your home or business, should be completely free of combustible materials. This means removing dead leaves, dry grass, and wood piles, as well as keeping trees and shrubs well-trimmed. The second zone extends up to thirty feet from a structure and focuses on spacing trees properly and removing lower branches to prevent flames from spreading upwards. Grass should be kept short, and any dry vegetation should be cleared regularly. The final zone reaches up to one hundred feet and acts as a transition to the natural landscape. While some vegetation remains, it should be well-spaced and maintained to slow down the spread of fire.


How is a Defensible Zone Created?

Creating and maintaining a wildfire defensible space requires knowledge, skill, and the right equipment. The team at Ash Rock Tree Services, led by a former firefighter, provides expert tree trimming, brush clearing, and debris removal to ensure your property is as fire-resistant as possible. With firsthand experience in firefighting, our company owner is passionate about helping local property owners take proactive steps in wildfire prevention.


Wildfire Prevention Cutting in Salem, OR

Wildfires can be unpredictable, but preparation makes all the difference. By investing in a wildfire defensible space in Salem, you are taking an essential step toward protecting your home, business, and community. If you need assistance assessing and reducing wildfire risks in the Willamette Valley, call Ash Rock Tree Services at  503-447-6231. Our team is ready to help you create a safer environment for your property.


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