• Introduction
  
   
• Fire Environment
  
   
• Examples of Local Fire Behavior
  
   
• FAQs about Defensible Space
  
   
• Creating an Effective Defensible Space
  
   
• Firescape:  Fire Safe Landscape Design
  
   
• Other considerations in Making Your Home Defensible
  
   
• When Wildfire Approaches

The "Fire Environment" is defined as:  surrounding conditions, influences, and modifying forces that determine wildfire behavior.

Weather:  Dry, hot, windy weather increases the likelihood of a major wildfire.  These conditions make ignition easier, allow fuels to burn more rapidly and increase fire intensity.

Topography:  The steepness of slope is among the most influential on fire behavior.  As the steepness of slope increases, the faster the fire will spread.

Fuel:  Fuel is required for any fire to burn.  Examples of fuels are:  trees, shrubs, grasses, and houses when they are in the path of a wildfire.

The Human Environment:  When people are living in high fire hazard environments, the human-built environment becomes an important factor, predicting the loss of life and property.  Untreated wood shake and shingle roofs, narrow roads, limited access, lack of fire-wise landscaping, inadequate water supplies, and poorly planned subdivisions are examples of increased risk to people living with the threat of wildfire.

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