Homeowner Defensible Space Self-Inspection Checklist

Fire season will soon be upon us in the Sierra.  Squaw Valley Fire Department conducts an annual wildland fire prevention program with a simple goal:  to prevent life and property losses from  wildland fire.  We accomplish this through public cooperation and enforcement of California's defensible space laws.  These laws are designed to help firefighters protect your home during a wildland fire and more importantly, help your home stand alone when firefighting resources are limited.  Last years fire season was very bad, we had major fires in South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City and a fire in Tahoe Donner.  Our crews were also dispatched to Susanville, LA County and San Diego for large catastrophic fires.  I expect another busy fire season this year.  Please get your properties in compliance earlier this year. 

All homes in Squaw Valley and the Truckee River corridor will be inspected for defensible space compliance beginning July 8, 2008.  To ensure compliance with California's defensible space laws and to protect your home and family, please follow the guidelines outlined in the Self-inspection checklist provided below.

To help with this effort, on Saturday, June 21st, Squaw Valley Fire Department and Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal Company will provide dumpsters for the disposal of vegetation removed from properties in the Valley.  The dumpsters will be located in the new Squaw Valley Public Service District parking lot from 7:30 am. to 2:30 p.m.  This event is strictly for disposal of yard vegetation - absolutely no household trash, hazardous materials or construction debris will be accepted. 

It is equally important to maintain your defensible space throughout the summer.  We anticipate a long fire season: vegetation cut back early in summer may well be overgrown and present a hazard again by late summer and fall.  

Failure to comply with defensible space laws may result in citation, court appearance and a fine.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation in our effort to keep our community fire safe.

• Make street address visible from the street and contrasts with background-suggest 5" or 6" numbers.

• Cut grasses and mule ears to six inches or shorter to one hundred feet from house or to property line.

• Rake and remove pine needles to one hundred feet from the house or to property line - OK to leave 1-2" for mulch.

• Remove accumulated pine needles from the roof

• Cut grasses, thin brush and other flammable vegetation to one hundred feet from house or to property line

• Clear debris (slash and needle piles, construction debris, and flammable storage) from around structure

• Clear vegetation to mineral soil from around firewood storage piles

• Remove brush, limbs, grass, needles, and debris ten feet in all directions from around propane tank

•  Limb adult trees up to a minimum of six feet from the ground

• Remove dead tree limbs touching or overhanging roofs and decks

• Remove all dead and dying trees from the property

• Install a 1/2-inch mesh screen spark arrester on chimneys and stovepipes