The most critical zone. Keep this area free of anything that could ignite from wind-driven embers. Includes the space around attached decks, porches, stairs, and beneath the home.

• Remove dead plants, leaves, pine needles, mulch, firewood, trash, and debris within 5 feet of the home, including roofs, gutters, decks, porches, and stairways.
• Use hardscape (concrete, gravel, pavers, or bare soil) instead of combustible bark or mulch.
• Limit combustible items like furniture and planters on decks.
• Replace combustible fencing and gates attached to the home with noncombustible alternatives.
• Relocate garbage containers, boats, RVs, and vehicles outside this zone when possible.

Trees are allowed if maintained: branches at least 5 ft from roofs/walls, canopy at least 10 ft from roofs/structures at maturity, and dead branches removed regularly.

Zone 0 FAQ from the State Board of Forestry & Fire Protection

Maintain regularly by trimming plants, controlling weeds, and keeping irrigation systems working. Extends to the property line if less than 30 feet.

• Remove all dead and dying grass, plants, shrubs, branches, leaves, weeds, and needles.
• Keep plants under 4 feet tall and fire-resistant (except trees).
• Water and maintain all vegetation.
• Prune trees: branches at least 5 ft from roofs/walls, canopy at least 10 ft from structures, dead branches removed. Keep branches at least 10 ft from other trees and plants.

Thin and manage natural vegetation to limit fire spread. Properties near habitat conservation areas may have additional restrictions (see Sensitive Habitats below).

• Mow annual grass to 4 inches or less.
• Space out shrubs and trees horizontally and vertically (see Plant Spacing below).
• Remove fallen leaves, needles, and small branches (up to 3 inches depth may remain).
• Keep 10 ft of clearance around woodpiles, down to bare mineral soil.
• Clear around outbuildings and LPG tanks: 10 ft to bare soil, plus 10 ft with no flammable vegetation beyond that.