View source for Defensible space (fire control)

In the context of [[fire control]], '''Defensible Space''' is the natural and landscaped area around a structure that has been maintained and designed to reduce fire danger, sometimes called  ''''Firescaping''''.<ref>http://www.sbcfire.com/fp/hrp/landscape%20checklist.pdf SBCFD-Firescaping. Retrieved 4/26/2010</ref> "Defensible space" is also used in the context of [[wildfire]]s, especially in the [[wildland-urban interface]] (WUI).<ref>http://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/communications_firesafety_100feet.php CAL-FIRE intro Retrieved 4/26/2010</ref> This defensible space reduces the risk that fire will spread from the surroundings to the structure and provides [[firefighter]]s access and a safer area to defend it from. Firefighters sometimes do not attempt protecting structures without adequate defensible space, for personnel safety and their effort less likely to succeed.

==Criteria==
*A first concept of Defensible Space for most fire agencies' primary goal of fuel reduction is a recommended or required defensible space around a structure to extend for at least {{convert|100|ft|m}} in all directions.<ref>http://www.sbcfire.com/fp/hrp/defensible_space_requlation.pdf SBCFD-regulation. Retrieved 4/26/2010</ref>

*A second concept of Defensible Space is "Fuel Reduction." This means plants are selectively thinned and pruned to reduce the combustible fuel mass of the remaining plants. The goal is to break up the more continuous and dense uninterrupted layer of vegetation.

*A third concept of Defensible Space is "[[Fuel ladder|Fuel Ladder]]" management. Like rungs on a ladder, vegetation can be present at varying heights from groundcovers to trees. Grounds fuel 'rungs' such as dried grasses, can transmit fire to shrub rungs, which then transmit up tree branch rungs into the tree canopy. A burning tree produces embers that can blow to new areas spreading and so making it more difficult to control a wildland fire. One guideline is for a typical separation of three times the height of the lower fuel to the next fuel ladder. For example, a two foot high shrub under a tree would need a spacing of {{convert|6|ft|m}} to the lowest limbs of the tree. Since wildfires burn faster uphill than on flat land, fuel ladder spacing may need to be greater for slopes.<ref>http://www.sbcfire.com/fp/hrp.html SBCFD-intro. Retrieved 4/26/2010</ref>

==Landscape use==

The term Defensible Space in landscape ('firescape') use refers to the {{convert|100|ft|m}} zone surrounding a structure. Often the location is in the [[wildland-urban interface]]. This area need not be devoid of vegetation by using naturally fire resistive plants that are spaced, pruned and trimmed, and irrigated, to minimize the fuel mass available to ignite and also to hamper the spread of a fire.

#The first {{convert|30|ft|m}} is the '''"Defensible Space Zone,"''' of a defensible space around a structure. It is where [[vegetation]] is kept to a minimum combustible mass. A guideline used in this zone can be ''"low, lean and green."''
#The second distance of {{convert|30|to|100|ft|m}}, is the '''"Reduced Fuel Zone"''' of a defensible space around a structure. In this area of the defensible space, fuels/vegetation are separated vertically and horizontally depending on the vegetation type. This is done by: thinning, pruning, and removal of selected vegetation; and limbing up trees from lower vegetation and the lateral separation of [[canopy (forest)|tree canopies]]. types.<ref>http://www.sbcfire.com/fp/hrp/defensible_space_guidelines.pdf CAL-FIRE-guidelines. Retrieved 4/26/2010</ref>

An important component is ongoing maintenance of the fire-resistant landscaping for reduced fuel loads and fire fighting access. Fire resistive plants that are not maintained can [[Desiccation|desiccate]], die, or amass [[Coarse woody debris|deadwood debris]], and become fire assistive. Irrigation systems and pruning can help maintain a plant's fire resistance. Maintaining access roads and driveways clear of side and low-hanging vegetation can allow large fire equipment to reach properties and structures. Some agencies recommend clearing combustible vegetation at minimum horizontal 10 feet from roads and driveways a vertical of 13 feet 6&nbsp;inches above them. Considering the plant material involved is important to not create unintended consequences to habitat integrity and unnecessary aesthetic issues. Street signs, and homes clearly identified with the numerical address, assist access also.<ref>[http://www.sbcfire.com/fp/hrp/homeowners_checklist.pdf  SBCFD Retrieved 4/26/2010]</ref><ref>http://www.sbcfire.com/fp/hrp/landscape%20checklist.pdf SBCFD-checklist. Retrieved 4/26/2010</ref>

:The slogan ''"Provide Defensible Space, be fire-safe and fire-smart"'' is used by agencies.

==Unintended consequences==

The unintended negative consequences of [[erosion]] and native [[habitat]] loss can result from some unskillful defensible space applications. The disturbance of the soil surface, such as garden [[Tillage|soil cultivation]] in and [[firebreak]]s beyond native landscape zones areas destroy the native plant cover and expose open soil, accelerating [[invasive species]] of plants ('invasive exotics') spreading and replacing native [[habitat]]s.<ref name=neutral>{{citation| last=Colautti| first=Robert I.; MacIsaac, Hugh J.| title=A neutral terminology to define 'invasive' species| journal= Diversity and Distributions|year=2004|url=http://planet.botany.uwc.ac.za/nisl/Invasives/Assignment1/ColauttiandMacIsaac.pdf|format=PDF| volume=10| pages=135–141| accessdate=2007-07-11| doi=10.1111/j.1366-9516.2004.00061.x}}</ref>

In suburban and [[wildland-urban interface]] areas the vegetation clearance and brush removal ordinances of municipalities for defensible space can result in mistaken excessive [[clearcutting]] of native and [[Introduced species|non-invasive introduced]] shrubs and perennials that exposes the soil to more light and less competition for [[Invasive species|invasive plant species]], and also erosion and landslides. Negative aesthetic consequences to natural and landscape areas can be minimized with integrated and balanced defensible space practices.<ref>(September 21, 2006). [http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/whatis.shtml National Invasive Species Information Center - What is an Invasive Species?]. ''United States Department of Agriculture: National Agriculture Library''. Retrieved on September 1, 2007.</ref><ref>USA (1999). Executive Order 13112 of February 3, 1999: Invasive Species. Federal Register 64(25), 6183-6186.</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Gardening}}
*[[Fire control]]
*[[Fire ecology]]
*[[Firefighting]]
*[[Fuel ladder]]
*[[Wildfire]]
*[[Wildfire suppression]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/communications_firesafety_100feet.php CAL-FIRE: Homepage + Links] Official CA State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection website.
*[http://www.sbcfire.com/fp/hrp/defensible_space_guidelines.pdf CA State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection: "General Guidelines for Creating Defensible Space"]
*[http://www.sbcfire.com/fp/hrp.html SBCFD Homepage + Links: "Defending Your Home and Hazard Reduction"] Official Santa Barbara County Fire Department 'Wildfire' Website.
*[http://www.sbcfire.com/fp/hrp/landscape%20checklist.pdf Santa Barbara County Fire Department: "Landscape Checklist"]
*[http://www.sbcfire.com/fp/hrp/homeowners_checklist.pdf Santa Barbara County Fire Department: "Homeowner Checklist"]	


{{Fire fighting}}
{{Horticulture and Gardening}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Defensible Space (Fire Control)}}
[[Category:Natural hazards]]
[[Category:Occupational safety and health]]
[[Category:Wildfires|Wildfires]]
[[Category:Wildland fire suppression]]

[[es:Categoría:Horticultura|Firescape]]
[[Category:2Fix]]