Defensible Space Helps Safeguard Against Wild Fires

Defensible Space Helps Safeguard Against Wild Fires

August 17, 2018 | Randy Shelton

With many parts of the West at risk from wildfires, it has become more and more common for potential buyers as well as current sellers to ask how their improvements can be safeguarded from fire destruction. The most effective prevention is maintaining a defensible space.  Defensible space is an established area around your house that creates a defensible position for firefighters to do their job.  Structures are more likely to withstand a wildfire if brush, trees and other common forest fuels are removed or at least reduced. This is the best way to minimize your structure’s damage and stop the fire from spreading to adjacent fuel sources.

A good example of maintained defensible space can be seen at the 3,070± acre Cove Canyon Ranch sits just 20 minutes west of downtown Billings.