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Defensible space in Utah: what to clear at 0–5, 5–30 and 30–100 feet

A zone-by-zone checklist for Utah homes in the wildfire zone: what to remove next to the house, how to space trees, and what to leave alone.

6 min read · Updated November 9, 2026

Most homes that burn in a wildfire are not reached by a wall of flame. They catch from embers — burning bits carried ahead of the fire — landing on something that can burn next to or on the house. That is why fire scientists split the land around a home into three zones and treat each one differently.

Zone 0: the first 5 feet (the ember zone)

This is the most important zone and the cheapest to fix. The goal is nothing that can burn touching or near the house.

  • Replace wood or bark mulch with rock, gravel or bare soil.
  • Remove plants, shrubs and dead leaves right against the walls, decks and fences.
  • Move firewood, lumber, propane tanks, trash cans and patio furniture cushions at least 5 feet away when fire season starts.
  • Clean pine needles and leaves out of gutters, roof valleys and under decks.
  • Swap a wooden fence that touches the house for a metal gate or section for the last 5 feet.

Zone 1: 5 to 30 feet (lean, clean and green)

Here the goal is to keep a fire small and on the ground so it can't climb into trees or jump to the house.

  • Keep grass mowed short (about 4 inches) and watered where you can.
  • Space shrubs apart instead of in solid hedges.
  • Prune tree limbs up from the ground — roughly 6 to 10 feet, or a third of the tree's height for shorter trees.
  • Trim branches back at least 10 feet from the roof and chimney.
  • Leave space between tree crowns so fire can't hop from one to the next.

Zone 2: 30 to 100 feet (reduced fuel)

You don't need to clear this zone — just thin it so a fire slows down and drops to the ground.

  • Remove dead trees, dead branches and heavy piles of brush.
  • Thin dense stands of small trees so the larger ones have room.
  • Keep firewood piles and outbuildings well apart from each other.
  • On a slope, extend the distances — fire runs uphill much faster.

The house itself

Clearing works best together with a few upgrades to the home:

  • Vents: fit attic, soffit and crawl-space vents with metal mesh of 1/8 inch or smaller so embers can't get in.
  • Roof: a Class A rated roof (most asphalt shingles, metal and tile) is the biggest single upgrade if you still have wood shakes.
  • Decks: clear underneath, and consider enclosing the underside with metal mesh.

Where to start

If you only do one thing this weekend, clear the first 5 feet. It costs little, makes the biggest difference, and is the area assessors and insurers look at first.

Not sure how your property stacks up? Our free Quick Check takes about two minutes: answer 12 questions, add a few photos, and get a readiness score with your top three fixes.

Sources · Last checked November 9, 2026

General information for Utah homeowners, not legal, insurance or engineering advice. Wildfire Ready Utah is an independent guide and referral service of Den Entertainment Inc., not a state agency.