🌲 Northern Arizona Firewise: Homeowner’s Checklist
A neighbor-to-neighbor guide to protecting our mountain community from wildfire.
Wildfire survival is a community effort. Because fire doesn’t respect property lines, caring for our own space protects the whole neighborhood.
The “Defensible Space” Checklist
Zone 0: The Immediate Zone (0 – 5 Feet from Home)
- Clear the perimeter: Remove all combustible materials (woodpiles included) from within 5 feet of the house
- No pine needles: Clean all Ponderosa pine needles and leaves from the roof, gutters, and decks
- Replace mulch: Swap wood chips for gravel, rock, or concrete within 5 feet of your foundation and decks
- Clear under decks: Remove anything stored underneath wooden decks or stairs
Zone 1: The Intermediate Zone (5 – 30 Feet from Home)
- Limb up your pines: Prune the lower branches of mature Ponderosa pines 6 to 10 feet up from the ground to remove “ladder fuels”
- Space out trees: Group pines into small islands of 2–3 trees, leaving 20–30 feet of open space between groups
- Clear the underbrush: Remove brush, tall grass, and baby conifers growing directly underneath mature pine trees
- Protect your propane: Keep the area around propane tanks completely clear of weeds and debris
Zone 2: The Extended Zone (30 – 100+ Feet from Home)
- Create canopy space: Ensure there is at least 10 to 12 feet of space between the tops (crowns) of your mature pines
- Thin the forest: Remove dead, dying, or diseased trees, as well as crowded saplings
- Reduce Pine Needles: Rake heavy accumulations of pine needles so the ground layer is kept to a minimum
- Relocate firewood: Move all firewood piles at least 30 feet away from any structures
Flagstaff Trees
Ponderosa Pines = High Maintenance. They are highly flammable. Keep them thinned, limbed, and spaced out
Quaking Aspens = Fire-Resistant. They have high moisture and low sap. Use Aspens as natural firebreaks and privacy screens near your home
Seasonal Maintenance Rhythm
- Spring: Clean the roof, gutters, and decks of winter debris and pine needles – as needed
- Summer: Mow wild grasses and weeds to under 4 inches. Weed-whip around trees and fences
- Fall: Rake the seasonal drop of pine needles. Double-check firewood placement. Clean the roof, gutters, and decks of winter debris and pine needles – as needed
- Winter: Consider trimming trees now while they are dormant to avoid stressing them or attracting bark beetles