FAQ Topic: Home Hardening

Yes, San Rafael code requires all property owners to maintain defensible space. Some other Marin fire agencies have also adopted fire code language that may require neighboring properties to provide some vegetation clearance to protect their neighbor’s home. State law does not necessarily require this. San Rafael and FIRESafe MARIN encourage neighbors to work together … Continued

Most homeowners need a landscape or tree contractor to clear grass, weeds, and brush from around their home. See the contractor’s page at FireSafe Marin – www.firesafemarin.org/contractors for links to local contractors who’ve received basic training.

We don’t own goats. San Rafael, the County of Marin, FIRESafe MARIN, and other local agencies contract with private goat herders to reduce vegetation hazards on large parcels. Goats are usually only cost effective for larger properties of 5-10 or more acres due to transportation cost and logistics. In most cases, for small properties of … Continued

See https://www.firesafemarin.org/contractors for a list of contractors who’ve completed basic training in wildfire preparedness. Any licensed tree company or arborist should do fine for tree removals. We don’t typically recommend specific contractors, and have had good experiences with nearly every tree service you’ll find in the “yellow pages” or Google. Ensure that they are a … Continued

If it helps ease your nerves, you should know that the mere presence of eucalyptus trees does not necessarily indicate an “extreme” fire hazard. Single specimens of most tree varieties, including many fire hazardous species, can usually be maintained in a way that minimizes the hazard. Remember that trees don’t magically burst into flames, even … Continued

Adequate spacing between vegetation and between combustible materials is crucial to reduce the spread of wildfires. There are two types of spacing to be aware of. 1. VERTICAL SPACING: Remove all tree branches at least 5 feet from the ground Shrubs can act as a fire ladder or bridge that spreads fire to trees so, … Continued

Juniper Bamboo Acacia Italian Cypress Black Sage Chamise/Greasewood Chaparral Pea Giant Chinquapin Coyote Brush California Sagebrush Scrub Oak (brushy oaks) Bluegum Eucalyptus Gorse Pampas Grass French, Scotch, Portugeuse, and Spanish Brooms

UC Marin Master Gardeners – http://marinmg.ucanr.edu Marin Chapter California Native Plant Society – http://cnpsmarin.org San Rafael is a Tree City – https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/san-rafael-tree-city/ Fire Smart Planting – http://firesafemarin.org/plants