How to clear a 5-foot noncombustible zone
Zone 0 defensible space is the first 5 feet around your house and attached decks. Replace wood mulch and plants with gravel, pavers or concrete, and move firewood and other things that burn. Fit metal mesh over vents, keep gutters clear and swap any wood fence where it meets the house.
How often to clear the 5-foot noncombustible zone
Clearing Zone 0 is a project first and a habit after that. Embers collect at the base of walls and under decks, so one season of leaves can undo the work.
| Job | When |
|---|---|
| Clear gutters and roof | Before fire season, then every spring and fall |
| Clear deck surface, gaps between boards and underneath | Routinely |
| Sweep leaves and needles from the 5-foot zone | Routinely, more often in fire season |
| Move cushions, doormats and other items away from the house | On Red Flag days |
IBHS says the 5-foot distance is based on expert judgment and it's studying whether it should change. California's approach is the most developed so far, and other states may have their own rules, so check with your local fire department.
What you need for zone 0 defensible space
- Gravel, pavers, concrete or rock for ground cover
- A rake, shovel, wheelbarrow and pruning saw
- Corrosion-resistant metal mesh with 1/8-inch or 1/16-inch openings
- Metal mesh gutter guards, which resist embers better than plastic
- A hose long enough to reach every part of your property
Common 1/4-inch vent screens are too coarse, and fiberglass or plastic mesh can melt or burn. Fire Safe Marin warns that mesh reduces embers without fully stopping them, and that eave vents need baffles too.
How to create zone 0 defensible space
- Measure out 5 feet
Mark 5 feet from every wall and from the edges of attached decks and stairs. Under the deck counts too.
- Strip out what burns
Remove mulch, woody plants, dry grass, artificial turf, and stored wood from the zone. California's FAQ also calls for a 6-inch noncombustible strip between the ground and the start of your siding.
- Lay a hard surface
Put down gravel, rock, pavers or concrete. If you want some green, use low, well-watered plants at the outer edge, or small plants in noncombustible pots.
- Fix the fence connection
Replace the 5 feet of fence nearest the house with metal or masonry. Check that gates can still be opened by hand without power.
- Protect the openings
Replace 1/4-inch vent screens with 1/8-inch or 1/16-inch metal mesh, or with listed ember-resistant vents.
- Clear the high spots
Clean the gutters and roof, and prune back branches near the roof and chimney.
- Work outward
Ready.gov says to keep at least 30 feet around the house free of leaves, debris and flammable materials. California's defensible space rules also reach from 30 out to 100 feet.
Zone 0 wildfire risks to spot around your house
- Wood mulch, bark or dead plants touching the house
- Leaves in the corners where walls meet, or packed under the deck
- Firewood, lumber or trash stored under a deck or against a wall
- A wood fence or gate fastened directly to the house. Oakland's fire department calls these the greatest risk among fences.
- Open lattice under a deck, which lets embers in
- Branches over the roof or near the chimney. California's draft rules would keep branches 5 feet from roofs and walls and 10 feet from chimneys.
- Gaps wider than 1/8 inch around doors and thresholds
Zone 0 rules, and what to hire a contractor for
Clearing and raking are DIY. Use a contractor for fence sections, deck enclosures and replacing vents. Ember-resistant vents can restrict airflow, so Fire Safe Marin advises having a contractor, architect or engineer confirm the attic still gets enough ventilation.
Rules are moving, so check before you spend. California's Board of Forestry is writing Zone 0 regulations for State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Fire Safe Marin reported on September 14, 2026 that they were still under review. The board's FAQ describes a three-year window for existing homes once the rules are final, and says the zone will cover about 17% of the state's structures. Ask your county fire department what applies at your address, and ask your insurer whether it offers credit for this work.
Zone 0 wildfire questions
What can I put within 5 feet of my house in a wildfire area?
Noncombustible surfaces such as gravel, rock, pavers and concrete are the safest choice. Fire Safe Marin recommends keeping the whole zone free of mulch, woody plants, firewood and combustible furniture.
Is Zone 0 required in California?
The rules weren't final in the latest report available. Fire Safe Marin said in September 2026 that they were still under review. Check with CAL FIRE or your local fire department for current status.
What size mesh keeps embers out of vents?
Use corrosion-resistant metal mesh with 1/8-inch or 1/16-inch openings. Finer mesh clogs faster and needs more cleaning, and no mesh stops every ember.
Sources: IBHS, Ready.gov, firesafemarin.org, oaklandca.gov, sandiego.gov
General guidance for U.S. homes, not professional advice. For gas, electrical and structural work, call a licensed pro.