What is defensible space? A defensible space is an area, either man-made or natural, where the vegetation is modified and maintained to slow the rate and intensity of an advancing wildfire.

Here's how:

Thin tree and brush cover within 30 feet of the house.
The outer edge of tree crowns should be 10 to 12 feet apart. Occasional clumps of 2 or 3 trees are okay if surrounded by 12 feet of cleared space, and small patches of brush may be left if they are separated by at least 10 feet of noncombustible material. If the house is on a slope, increase the defensible space, especially on the downhill side. If the house is located at the crest of a steep hill, thinning should be done for at least 100 feet below the crest.

Limb up all trees within the defensible space.
Prune branches from trees to a height of 10 feet above the ground. Remove shrubs, small trees, and other potential "ladder" fuels (fuels which could allow a fire to climb into the crown of a tree) from beneath large trees.

Mow dry grasses.
Keep all grass and weeds within the defensible space at a height of 2 inches or less, especially during periods of high fire danger.

Remove slash and ground litter.
Remove all dead limbs, leaves, the debris created by thinning and limbing, and other ground litter within the defensible space. Crystal Lakes provides a slash pile for the use of property owners, where all such materials may be dropped off at no cost. (Only slash -- natural vegetation -- may be dropped at the slash pile; NO construction debris or other trash is allowed.) Contact the Crystal Lakes Associations Office (907-881-2250) for more information on the slash pile.

Trim branches near the house.
Remove branches which extend over the eaves of the house and any branches within 15 feet of a chimney.

Clean roof, gutters, and decks.
Remove all pine needles and leaves from where they gather on the roof, in gutters and corners of decks. These can provide excellent tinder for a spark from a wildfire.

Thin surrounding forest.
Thin trees within at least 100 feet of the house so crowns do not touch each other. It is preferrable to thin the entire lot.

Other things you can do to protect your house.

Stack firewood uphill and at least 15 feet away from your house.
Locate propane tank either on the downhill side or the same level as the house.
Install multi-pane, tempered glass windows, especially for picture windows and sliding doors.
Cover exterior attic, soffit and underfloor vents with wire mesh to prevent sparks from entering the house.
Enclose or screen off porch, foundation, roof, and attic openings to keep debris from accumulating underneath, and keep areas under decks free of vegetation.
Protect windows and sliding doors with nonflammable shutters, and use fire resistant drapes or blinds on the interior, especially on the side of the house which is most likely to be exposed to fire (typically the downhill side).
Install a chimney screen or spark arrestor, and inspect and clean your chimney on a regular basis.
Equip your home with smoke detectors and at least one 10 pound ABC-clans fire extinguisher.
Post your address/house number so that it is clearly visible from the road, from both directions, and not obscured by brush and trees. (See the Address Signs page for information on how to obtain an address sign from the Crystal Lakes Volunteer Fire Department.)

For additional information on wildfire hazards and what you can do to reduce them, contact the Larimer County Wildfire Safety Coordinator at (970) 498-7718.