Wildfire is part of life in Tehama, and embers can travel far ahead of a flame front to ignite the small things close to your home. If you live in town or on acreage, you want a clear plan that improves safety, meets California rules, and won’t overwhelm your weekend. This guide gives you a simple, local action plan you can start today, plus what to know for inspections and real estate transactions. Let’s dive in.
Why defensible space matters here
Tehama’s mix of grasslands, oaks, and forest creates fast-moving fire conditions in hot, windy weather. Creating defensible space and hardening your home improves survivability and gives firefighters a safer place to work. California requires most properties near wildland fuels to maintain defensible space out to 100 feet or to the property line.
What the law requires
PRC 4291: The 100-foot rule
Under California Public Resources Code §4291, you must maintain up to 100 feet of defensible space around structures or to your property line. The goal is to reduce fuels, break up continuous vegetation, and keep the area near your home clear and well maintained. Review the state’s guidance on spacing and maintenance on the official defensible space page.
- Read the statute: PRC §4291
- See how to comply: CAL FIRE defensible space
Inspections, SRA vs. LRA, and FHSZ
CAL FIRE inspects properties in State Responsibility Areas. Local fire agencies may inspect in Local Responsibility Areas. If your home is in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, extra real estate disclosures apply. Use CAL FIRE’s tools to see your area’s hazard designations and defensible space standards: CAL FIRE defensible space.
Penalties for noncompliance
If an inspector finds violations, you will be directed to correct them and may face fines for repeat issues. Learn more in PRC §4291.1.
If you plan to sell: AB 38
If your property is in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, state law requires documentation that your property complies with defensible space rules at the time of sale. If you cannot obtain it before closing, buyer and seller may agree in writing for the buyer to get compliance within a year. See Civil Code §1102.19.
Your 1-day quick start checklist
Do these first to make immediate progress:
- Clear roofs, gutters, and valleys of leaves and needles.
- Remove combustible mulch and decor within 0 to 5 feet of the house.
- Move firewood, lumber, and propane tanks at least 10 feet from structures.
- Trim low branches 6 to 10 feet up to remove ladder fuels.
- Space shrubs so they don’t touch each other or trees.
- Check vents and eaves for gaps and install ember-resistant screens where allowed.
For how-to details, see CAL FIRE home hardening.
Build defensible space by zones
Zone 0: 0 to 5 feet
Create an ember-resistant buffer right against the house. Keep this area free of wood mulch, wood piles, and combustible planters or decor. Use noncombustible hardscape and seal gaps where embers can enter. Statewide Zone 0 rules are being finalized, but the safest move is to keep this area clear now. See updates from the Board of Forestry.
Zone 1: 5 to 30 feet
Keep it lean, clean, and green. Remove dead plants, prune trees up 6 to 10 feet from the ground, and thin or space shrubs so fire cannot run from plant to plant. Maintain irrigated, low-growing plants near the house when possible.
Zone 2: 30 to 100 feet
Slow advancing fire and reduce intensity. Mow annual grasses to 4 inches or less, remove dead fuels, and create horizontal spacing between trees and shrubs. Maintain a 10-foot clear area around outbuildings and propane tanks.
Home hardening that matters
Focus on the parts of your home embers target first:
- Roof: Keep a Class A roof in good repair and free of debris.
- Vents: Install ember-resistant vents or metal mesh screens per code.
- Eaves and soffits: Enclose and seal gaps to block embers.
- Windows and doors: Use dual pane where practical and seal door and garage gaps.
- Siding and decks: Add metal flashing at deck-to-wall joints and keep the 0 to 5 feet zone noncombustible. Remove storage under decks.
- Gutters: Use metal covers and clean routinely.
Get step-by-step guidance at CAL FIRE home hardening.
Maintenance calendar
- Late spring: Do a full review before peak season. Clear dead growth, confirm spacing, and service irrigation.
- Mid summer: Spot check regrowth and clear gutters after wind events.
- Fall: Remove dry leaves and needles, clear roofs and gutters, and check vents and screens.
- After storms or drought: Recheck for downed branches, stressed plants, and debris.
Special sites: slopes and canyons
Fires run faster uphill and through funnels like draws and canyons. Increase both vertical and horizontal spacing on slopes and create a larger buffer upslope of structures. Follow spacing tables and examples on CAL FIRE’s defensible space page.
Burning and debris disposal
If you plan to burn yard debris, you may need a residential burn permit and a permissive burn day. Rules change seasonally, and local air district decisions apply. Check permits and burn-day status at CAL FIRE’s burn permit portal. For large volumes of slash, use local chipping programs or hire a licensed contractor.
Local help in Tehama
- Defensible Space Assistance: The Resource Conservation District’s TinderSmart Tehama program provides no-cost or low-cost work for eligible residents. Check current availability and apply at RCDTC’s defensible space assistance.
- Community Programs: Regional nonprofits coordinate education and neighborhood projects. Learn more through the Tehama Conservation Fund.
Buying or selling in fire-prone areas
If you are preparing for an inspection or meeting an AB 38 requirement, focus on the basics: roofs and gutters clean, 0 to 5 feet free of combustibles, 5 to 30 feet trimmed and spaced, and 30 to 100 feet mowed and thinned. Take dated photos and keep receipts. Confirm whether the property is in the SRA and if it sits in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. For the legal framework, see Civil Code §1102.19 and the CAL FIRE defensible space page.
Ready to talk through what matters for your sale or purchase in Tehama County? Reach out to Lori Slade for local guidance tailored to your property and timeline.
FAQs
What is defensible space and why is it required in Tehama?
- Defensible space is a managed area around your home that reduces fire intensity and ember ignition, and California requires up to 100 feet of fuel reduction under PRC §4291.
How do I know if I’m in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone?
- Check your address and local standards using the CAL FIRE defensible space resources and maps.
What should I do first if I only have a weekend?
- Clear roof and gutters, remove combustibles within 0 to 5 feet, move wood piles away, prune low branches, and check vents as outlined in home hardening guidance.
What happens if I fail a defensible space inspection?
- Inspectors will list corrections and a timeline, and repeat violations can lead to fines under PRC §4291.1.
What does AB 38 require when selling a home in a fire zone?
- If your property is in a High or Very High zone, you must provide documentation of compliance or agree in writing for the buyer to obtain it within a year per Civil Code §1102.19.
Where can I get help clearing my property in Tehama?
- Start with RCDTC’s TinderSmart program and look for community offerings via the Tehama Conservation Fund.
