What is the minimum clearance required around a structure in terms of defensible space?

The minimum clearance required around a structure for defensible space is 100 feet. This distance is recommended to help create a buffer zone that can reduce the risk of fire spreading to the building from surrounding vegetation and other fuels. The 100-foot zone is aimed at providing enough space to manage vegetation and mitigate fire risk, taking into account factors such as topography, weather conditions, and the type of surrounding fuels.

This space allows for proper landscaping and maintenance, such as removing dead or dry vegetation, creating a firebreak, and ensuring that trees are appropriately spaced to prevent fire from easily transferring from the landscape to the structure. It is an essential element of wildfire risk management and is often a guideline used by fire authorities and management agencies.

In summary, a defensible space of 100 feet around a structure helps ensure adequate protection from wildfires by limiting the fire's ability to reach the building and by creating a manageable area for fire suppression efforts if necessary.