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HOMEOWNER'S CHECKLIST

(For new Wildland Urban Interface Construction or Remodels)

Use ignition resistant construction (effective January 1, 2008) for roofs/roof assemblies, gutters, vents, desks, exterior walls, exterior windows.
Enclose the underside of eaves, balconies and above ground decks with fi re resistant materials.
Show your 100 feet Defensible Space on plot plan.
Build your home away from ridge tops, canyons and areas between high points of a ridge.
Consider installing residential sprinklers.
Make sure that electric service lines, fuse boxes and circuit breaker panels are installed and maintained per code.
Contact qualified individuals to perform electrical maintenance and repairs

Make sure that your street name sign is visibly posted at each street intersection.
Post your house address so it is easily visible from the street, especially at night.
Address numbers should be at least 3 inches tall and on a contrasting background.
Identify at least two exit routes from your neighborhood.
Clear flammable vegetation at least 10 feet from roads and five feet from driveways.
Cut back overhanging tree branches above access roads.
Construct roads that allow two-way traffic.
Make sure dead-end roads, and long drive ways have turn-around areas wide enough for emergency vehicles.
Design bridges to carry heavy emergency vehicles.
Post clear road signs to show traffi c restrictions such as dead-end roads, and weight and height limitations.

Install a fire resistant roof. Contact your local fire department for current roofing requirements.
Remove dead leaves and needles from your roof and gutters.
Remove dead branches overhanging your roof and keep branches 10 feet from your chimney.
Cover your chimney outlet and stovepipe with a nonflammable screen of 1/2 inch or smaller mesh.

Create a Defensible Space of 100 feet around your home. It is required by law.
Create a "LEAN, CLEAN and GREEN ZONE" by removing all fl ammable vegetation within 30 feet immediately surrounding your home
Then create a "REDUCED FUEL ZONE" in the remaining 70 feet or to your property line You have two options in this area:
- Create horizontal and vertical spacing between plants. The amount of space will depend on how steep your property is and the size of your plants.
- Large trees do not have to be removed as long as all of the plants beneath them are removed.
Remove lower tree branches at least six feet from the ground
Landscape with fi re resistant plants
Maintain all plants with regular water, and keep dead braches, leaves and needles removed.
When clearing vegetation, use care when operating equipment such as lawnmowers. One small spark may start a fire; a string trimmer is much safer.

Stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from all structures and remove vegetation within 10 feet of woodpiles
Locate LPG tanks (butane and propane) at least 30 feet from any structure and maintain 10 feet of clearance
Remove all stacks of construction materials, pine needles, leaves and other debris from your yard
Contact your local fire department to see if debris burning is allowed in your area; if so, obtain a burning permit and follow all local air quality restrictions

Maintain an emergency water supply that meets fire department standards through one of the following:
- a community water/hydrant system
- a cooperative emergency storage tank with neighbors
- a minimum storage supply of 2,500 gallons on your property (like a pond or pool)
Clearly mark all emergency water sources
Create easy firefighter access to your closest emergency water source
If your water comes from a well, consider an emergency generator to operate the pump during a power failure.