How to Create a Defensible Space Against Wildfires

Protect Your Home and Belongings from the Growing Threat of Wildfires

As wildfires grow more frequent and more destructive across the globe, the question is no longer if—but when. From California to the Mediterranean, rural communities and even suburban neighborhoods are facing an escalating risk. If you’re a homeowner, property manager, or renter, now is the time to take proactive steps.

One of the most effective and often overlooked strategies is creating a defensible space—a carefully maintained buffer zone around your property that dramatically increases your chances of surviving a wildfire. But physical protection isn’t enough. You also need to protect the value inside your home. That’s where MyStash comes in.

What Is a Defensible Space?

A defensible space is a zone between your home and the surrounding vegetation that’s cleared or modified to reduce fire intensity. This buffer gives firefighters a safer area to work and helps prevent the fire from reaching your home in the first place.

Think of it as your home’s first line of defense—and one that can mean the difference between total loss and total protection.

3 Zones That Can Save Your Property

Fire experts recommend structuring your defensible space into three key zones:

• Zone 1: Immediate Zone (0–5 feet from buildings)

  • Remove dead plants, leaves, and pine needles regularly.
  • Avoid flammable mulch; use gravel or stone instead.
  • Store firewood and propane tanks at least 30 feet away.
  • Use fire-resistant building materials and ember-resistant vents.

• Zone 2: Intermediate Zone (5–30 feet)

  • Keep lawns mowed and well-watered.
  • Trim tree branches to keep them 10 feet from other trees.
  • Create breaks in vegetation to slow the fire’s spread.

• Zone 3: Extended Zone (30–100 feet)

  • Thin vegetation and remove small trees or shrubs.
  • Space trees to prevent crown fires.
  • Eliminate ladder fuels—plants that let fire climb from ground to treetop.

Don’t Just Defend. Document.

Even with the best defensible space, no property is 100% fireproof. That’s why documenting your possessions before disaster strikes is essential.

MyStash is your personal property inventory app, designed to help you:

• Instantly catalog your belongings with photos and AI-powered valuations
• Create a secure, shareable inventory for insurance claims
• Store essential documents like deeds, IDs, and warranties in one place
• Access everything from your phone—even after an evacuation

Why MyStash?

In the chaos after a wildfire, insurance adjusters will ask: What did you lose? If you don’t have a documented inventory, your payout could be delayed or reduced. MyStash helps you answer that question with clarity, proof, and peace of mind.

We’ve helped thousands of users protect their assets in the face of disaster. Whether you're in wildfire country or just want to be prepared for anything, MyStash is the smartest way to protect what you own.

Act Before the Ember Falls

You can’t predict the next wildfire—but you can prepare for it.

Start creating your defensible space today. Then protect everything inside it with MyStash.

👉 Get Started for Free

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Make your home wildfire-ready, and make your assets MyStash-secure.