Nevada-Yuba-Placer Strategic Fire Plan 2011 - Board of Forestry ...

The three fuel reduction prescriptions described below are standards or guidelines and are
being provided for guidance, they are not intended to be regulatory and are as follows:
Defensible Space (PRC 4291): Area surrounding a structure where fire protection or firebreak
is made by removing all brush, flammable vegetation, or combustible growth which is located up
to 100 feet from such structure or to the property line, whichever is nearer. The goal is to create
an area where ground based fire suppression resources, such as fire engines, can successfully
defend the structure from an advancing fire.
Defensible Landscape: The area outside of the defensible space zone where additional fuel
reduction is completed to enhance the protection value of the defensible space zone around a
structure. Increased aesthetics and habitat values are planned for in this prescription.
Modified shaded fuel break: defined as a defensible location, where fuels have been
modified, that can be used by fire suppression resources to suppress oncoming
wildfires. Any fuel break by itself will NOT stop a wildfire. It is a location where the fuel has
been modified to increase the probability of success for fire suppression activities. Ground
resources can use the location for direct attack or firing out. Air resources can use the location
for fire retardant drops. The public and fire resources can use the location for more efficient
ingress and egress.
The three prescriptions are listed below. The defensible space and defensible landscape
prescriptions incorporate the modified shaded fuel break prescription with a few variations. The
only trees eligible to be removed under the following prescriptions are in the 10- inch
diameter class (diameter of main stem at breast height) or smaller. All trees larger that
the 10- inch diameter class will only be pruned to a height of 8 to 10 feet above the
ground, not to reduce the live crown ratio of the plant to below 50%. Exceptions for
defective trees and snags are noted below.
I. Defensible Space Prescription: PRC 4291
Includes all of following:
1. Maintain around and adjacent to a building or structure a firebreak made by removing and
clearing away, for a distance of not less than 100 feet on each side thereof or to the property
line, whichever is nearer, all flammable vegetation or other combustible growth. This does not
apply to single specimens of trees, ornamental shrubbery, or similar plants that are used as
ground cover, if they do not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from the native growth to
any building or structure.
2. Remove that portion of any tree that extends within 10 feet of the outlet of any chimney or
stovepipe.
3. Maintain any tree adjacent to or overhanging any building free of dead or dying wood.
4. Maintain the roof of any structure free of leaves, needles, or other dead vegetative growth.
5. Provide and maintain at all times a screen over the outlet of every chimney or stovepipe that
is attached to any fireplace, stove, or other device that burns any solid or liquid fuel. The screen
125