GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK!
One of the most important things you can do to make your home fire safe is to create a fuel break around your home. The new state law in California requires 100 feet of defensible space. Many think this means clearing all vegetation down to the bare soil. Actually bare soil makes way for noxious weeds; so it's not the answer.
You need to eliminate flammable materials within 30 feet of your house. This means wood stacks, fire-prone vegetation (living and dead), patio furniture, other items that could cause a ground fire to climb your structure.
Get rid of dead shrubbery, thin and trim trees and shrubs so the lower limbs are removed, and cut weedy grasses. All work should be done on cool days or in the morning when dew is still present. A spark from the lawnmower or tree trimmer could ignite the very fire you are trying to defend against!
There is no question that dense/flammable vegetation should be removed from the area immediately around the home and under decks in order to reduce the risk of structural ignition during a wildfire. Maintaining a modified canopy of vegetation to shade the ground is important to reduce weed growth.
The Fire Safe Council has made available a DVD with comprehensive information about what consistutes a fire safe fuel clearance.
MORE FIRE SAFETY TIPS FROM YOUR FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
