What is defensible space?
Most homeowners underestimate how wildfire actually reaches the home.
Why This Matters
When wildfires spread, they don’t usually start by burning houses directly. Instead, they burn through dry vegetation, fences, mulch, and debris that lead flames straight to the home.
According to wildfire research from CAL FIRE and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS):
- Up to 90% of homes lost to wildfire ignite from embers and radiant heat, not direct flame contact
- Creating and maintaining defensible space can reduce ignition risk by 80–90 percent
- Wind-driven embers are the leading cause of home ignition, and these embers can accumulate in vents, roofs, and decks even when flames never reach the property
Together, these findings show that wildfire damage is often preventable. Creating a defensible space around your home doesn’t stop wildfires from spreading, but it dramatically improves your home’s chances of surviving when they do.
What Defensible Space Means
Defensible space is the buffer zone around a home that reduces fire intensity and prevents flames from reaching the structure.
Under California Public Resources Code 4291, homeowners in wildfire-prone areas must maintain up to 100 feet of defensible space.
This space is divided into three zones:
Zone 0 - (0 to 5 feet)
- Ember-Resistant Zone
- Keep this area completely free of anything that can burn including mulch, wood piles, plants, and decorations.
- Use gravel or hardscape instead of combustible materials.
- Regularly clear roofs, gutters, and decks of debris.
- Use non-combustible fencing and siding closest to the home.
Zone 1 - (5 to 30 feet)
- Lean, Clean, and Green Zone
- Remove dead or dry vegetation and trim branches.
- Space trees and shrubs to prevent flames from jumping between them.
- Keep grass short (under 4 inches).
- Move combustible items (furniture, propane tanks, etc.) 30 feet or more from structures..
Zone 2 - (30 to 100 feet)
- Reduced Fuel Zone
- Thin trees and brush to reduce continuous fuels.
- Mow grasses and weeds to 4 inches or shorter.
- Remove ladder fuels (vegetation that lets flames climb).
- Maintain access routes for firefighters and equipment.
How Matador Fire Strengthens Defensible Space
Defensible space is the foundation of wildfire protection. Matador Fire builds on that foundation with professional solutions that reinforce each zone, protecting both your home and the area around it.
Zone 0 - Structural Home Hardening
Core Issue:
- Embers are the number one cause of home ignition. They often enter through vents, decks, and exposed wood near the structure.
Matador Fire Solution:
- Matador Fire installs 1/16-inch fire-code-compliant vent mesh to block ember entry and applies a non-toxic fire retardant to attics and exposed framing for added protection. These upgrades make the home itself ignition-resistant, which is the most critical part of defensible space.
Zone 1 - Professional Application Services
Core Issue:
- Dry vegetation and nearby combustibles can carry flames toward your home.
Matador Fire Solution:
- Matador Fire applies a clear, eco-safe fire retardant that lowers ignition potential on vegetation, fencing, and exterior surfaces. The treatment protects your property without removing landscaping or altering its appearance. Professional sprayers and industrial drones are used to reach large or hard-to-access areas. Retardant application does not replace defensible-space maintenance; it enhances it.
Zone 2 - Homeowner-Controlled Systems
Core Issues:
- When wildfire strikes, firefighting resources may be limited or delayed.
Matador Fire Solution:
- Matador Fire installs on-site systems that allow homeowners to apply retardant during red-flag or evacuation events. The retardant remains effective after drying, providing a reliable defensive layer even after evacuation.