Defensible Space Cost Share Program
Defensible Space Cost Share Program
This program provides up to 50% reimbursement cost (maximum reimbursement is $2000.00) of eligible defensible space improvements around residences, including pruning of trees, removal of ladder fuel vegetation, maintaining grass, and relocation of other flammables.
The program has reopened, and applications are due July 31st, 2023!
Note: If you already received $2,000 through the Defensible Space Cost Share Program in 2022, you have received the maximum reimbursement. We are accepting applications from people who did not previously apply in 2022, or who received less than $2,000 in reimbursement and have spent more on eligible activities since their initial application.
How to Participate
1) First you must schedule a Free Wildfire Mitigation Review (WMR) from a Yuba Watershed Protection & Fire Safe Council trained volunteer to become eligible for the cost share program.
Schedule a Mitigation Review by one of our Trained Volunteer Here!
2) Submit our interest form to reserve reimbursement funds for up to 2 months. Then make sure to take your “before” photos around your home.
3) Based on information from your review, perform defensible space activities, working outwards from the front door to the forest, prioritizing Zones 0 and 1 first. If you mitigate Zone 2 before Zones 0 & 1 are mitigated, your application may not receive approval. Remember to take before and after PHOTOS of the work – photos and receipts are required for reimbursement eligibility.
*WE MAY SCHEDULE A FOLLOW-UP VISIT TO CONFIRM PROGRAM ACTIVITIES*
4) Submit an Online Reimbursement Application along with copies of RECEIPTS/invoices, and your before/after photos
or
Print the application as instructed at the end of this page and mail it in with photos and copies of receipts.
Yuba County Foothill Fire Districts Eligible for this Program: 
1) Camptonville Community Service District
2) Foothill Fire Protection District
3) Dobbins Oregon House Fire Protection District
4) Loma Rica Browns Valley Community Service District
5) Smartsville Fire Protection District
Eligible Program Activities:
(Prioritize activities such that you work from the front door to the forest)
Zone 0 (Immediate): Non-combustible area 0-5’ from structure
- Remove all fuels & shrubs susceptible to ignition within 5’ of structure
- Install nonflammable landscaping/hardscaping material
Zone 1 (Intermediate): Lean, clean, and green within 5-30’
- Remove branches overhanging buildings and within 10’ of chimney or stovepipe outlets
- Create discontinuous fuels using wide spacing and landscaping features
- Relocate wood piles and other flammable residential items away from homes
- Chipping of removed fuels
- Remove seedlings and saplings (not large/mature trees) in order to create/maintain appropriate spacing of tree crowns
- Prune/ limb-up trees
- Remove ladder fuels such as shrubs
- Remove dead biomass material
- Expose bare mineral soil 10’ around outbuildings, wood piles, and liquid propane tanks
Zone 2 (Extended): Reduced fuels 30-100’ once you’ve addressed areas closer to your residence
- Chipping of removed fuels
- Remove seedlings and saplings (not large/mature trees) in order to create/maintain appropriate spacing of tree crowns
- Prune/limb-up trees
- Remove ladder fuels such as shrubs
- Remove dead biomass material
- Expose bare mineral soil 10’ around outbuildings, wood piles, and liquid propane tanks
- Mow grasses and annual plants to 4” tall
- Reduce ground litter and debris to less than 3” depth
This program is focused on helping residents address priority activities that provide the most risk reduction.
It will not cover the cost of large tree removal.
Review Full Program Guidelines Here!
What is wildfire defensible space?
Defensible space is the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surrounds it. – Cal Fire
Creating defensible space involves the careful selection, location and maintenance of vegetation and other combustible materials around a residence. According to the University of California Cooperative Extension (link), the purpose of defensible space is to:
- Minimize the pathways for wildfire to burn directly to the home
- Reduce radiant heat exposures to the home and structures
- Reduce the potential for embers to ignite vegetation adjacent to the home
- Provide a safe place for fire personnel to defend the home and allow for safe routes for evacuation.
For Information about the Home Ignition Zone, refer to NFPA Preparing Homes for Wildfire Here
