How to create a defensible zone around your home

Create a defensible zone: You don’t have to strip everything down to dirt, but minimizing fuel danger is the goal. ( See graphic for details.) Avoid flammable plants: Bamboo and oily eucalyptus can light like a match head. Opt instead for highmoisture succulents such as aloe or fireresistant hardwood trees such as maple.

Consider the weather: Don’t operate any power tools to trim vegetation when the weather is hot and windy because sparks can light the yard in a twinkling.

Inspect power lines: Notify Pacific Gas & Electric Co. whenever you notice power lines brushing up against tree limbs, or close enough for a strong wind to slap them together. Its crews can come trim the trees. Several big fires, including 2018’ s Camp Fire in Butte County, were sparked by power lines hitting vegetation or other power lines. Assess roofing materials: Roofs should be made of flameretardant materials, such as metal, asphalt composition shingles or clay tiles. Make the overhangs as wide as possible — in the Wine Country fires, some homes fared better with flying embers when they had fireresistant overhangs of 4 feet or more to keep them from hitting the walls.

Locate the gas valve: Know where your gas shutoff valve is, and keep a wrench next to it. If you see a wildfire getting dangerously close, shut off the gas — and any propane tanks you might have around.

Have a wildfire plan: In just two minutes, a house fire can become deadly, according to the Department of Homeland Security. In five minutes, a house can become fully engulfed in flames. Plan for the worst. Understand your risk: Cal Fire maintains maps of areas prone to wildfire, and cities and counties are required to keep safety plans that contain procedures for evacuations and communications.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle Kenny Wainright, whose family has run the Nichelini Winery for 130 years, puts out a spot fire near his greatgrandparents’ cabin at the winery, which was threatened by the Hennessey Fire near St. Helena in August.