Fire Danger in Tuolumne County  

Wildland/Urban Interface                                                

Our community must pay serious attention to the issue of Fire Prevention. We live on the edge of a Wildland/Urban interface with many homes tucked back in the pines or nestled safely in acerage covered with beautiful oaks and manzanita. Or so it would appear.... New home buyers need to realize that the responsibility for maintaining a fire safe property will rest with them- the affordability of home insurance premiums as well as their safety depend on it!

Defensible Space- 100'                       download-> Fire Safety Check List

The current CAL Fire requirement for fire safety clearance is 100'. This means that every year, homeowners have a responsibility to clear brush and debris from their property to ensure compliance with current fire safety regulations.

           Unmanaged Ladder Fuels

One of the biggest problems is the management of ladder fuels. This is considered to be growth left on the ground- grasses, dry brush, or bushes that will help a fire to climb up to the lower boughs of near by trees.  These trees will then burn like roman candles spreading sparks and wildfire to the surrounding area. To prevent this, tree branches need to be trimmed 10' above the height of grasses.

             Managed Wildland Area

For complete Fire Safety information go to http://www.mymotherlode.com/Fire_Information/living_with_fire.html