The First Line of Defense
 One of the most effective wildfire protection strategies begins outside the walls of your home — with the land itself. Defensible space is now a required element in many California fire zones, including parts of Pacific Palisades.

Zone 1: Immediate Buffer
 The first 5 feet around a home should be completely free of combustible materials. This means non-flammable ground cover (like gravel), fire-rated exterior walls, and covered vents.

Zone 2: Intermediate Landscape
 From 5 to 30 feet, space out vegetation and avoid clusters of shrubs near windows or under eaves. Use hardscaping, water features, or trimmed native plants to break up fuel sources.

Zone 3: Extended Perimeter
 Beyond 30 feet, especially in hillside areas, thinning trees and clearing dry underbrush helps slow approaching flames. In some cases, this area includes retaining walls, slope stabilization, and erosion control.

Integrating with Design
 Defensible space doesn’t mean losing beauty. With thoughtful planning, fire-safe landscaping can complement architectural design while increasing safety and insurance eligibility.