Think the 5-foot “Zone 0” Means No Yard? Think Again. According to State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant, “Zone 0 isn’t about going bare. It’s about fire-resistant choices that give your home a fighting chance.” Homes with a Zone 0 are nearly twice as likely to survive a wildfire, according to recent scientific studies.
Here are a few simple ways to get started:
- Limb up trees at least 5 feet from walls and 10 feet from rooftops.
- Replace wooden fences with metal fencing for the first 5 feet near the house.
- Use non-combustible pots for plants and keep them 5 feet from windows, vents, or glass.
This short video shows how one homeowner created a beautiful, fire-smart landscape with grass, trees, and flowers, all while maintaining a 5-foot Zone 0 buffer using non-combustible materials and smart plant spacing.
Watch and see how easy it is to make your home safer.
What steps have you taken to harden your home against wildfire?
California State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant demonstrates how smart Zone 0 landscaping should be implemented.