Office
805-434-9630
After hrs. - Emergency
805-458-5368
(call or text)
Mailing address:
PO Box 1784
Templeton, CA 93465
Don’t wait until smoke is on the horizon — fire preparation starts now.
Living on the Central Coast means enjoying some of California’s most beautiful landscapes. It also means living with the reality of fire season. Whether you’re in Atascadero, Paso Robles, Templeton, or the surrounding hills, preparing your property before fire season isn’t just smart — in many areas it’s required by law.
Here’s what every Central Coast homeowner should know about protecting their property.
What is Defensible Space and Why Does It Matter?
Defensible space is the buffer you create between your home and the grass, brush, and trees that surround it. CAL FIRE requires most properties in high fire risk areas to maintain a minimum of 100 feet of defensible space around structures.
This isn’t just a legal requirement — it’s what gives firefighters a fighting chance to defend your home if a fire reaches your property.
Zone 1 — The First 30 Feet
The area immediately around your home is the most critical. In this zone you should:
• Remove dead plants, grass, and weeds
• Keep grass mowed to no more than four inches
• Remove branches that hang over your roof or within 10 feet of your chimney
• Clear out dead leaves and debris from gutters and roof
• Trim trees so the lowest branches are at least six feet from the ground
• Remove any plants directly under trees that could act as a fire ladder
Zone 2 — 30 to 100 Feet
In this outer zone the goal is to reduce fuel and slow a fire’s spread:
• Cut or mow dry grass
• Remove dead plants and shrubs
• Create spacing between trees and shrubs — CAL FIRE recommends at least 10 feet between tree canopies
• Remove branches within 6 to 10 feet of the ground
• Clear out dead wood and debris
Trees Are a Critical Part of Fire Preparation
Healthy well-maintained trees are actually more fire resistant than neglected ones. Dead branches, overgrown canopies, and trees that haven’t been properly pruned become fuel. Professional tree trimming and pruning removes that risk while keeping your trees healthy for years to come.
Trees that are dead, dying, or structurally compromised should be removed entirely. A dead tree near your home isn’t just an eyesore — during fire season it’s a serious hazard.
🔗 Internal link: link “tree trimming and pruning” and “tree removal” to your Services page
Land Clearing for Fire Mitigation
For larger properties with significant brush, overgrowth, or dense vegetation, professional land clearing may be the most effective way to create adequate defensible space quickly. This is especially true for properties that haven’t been maintained in several years or rural parcels with heavy native growth.
🔗 Internal link: link “land clearing” to your Services page
When Should You Start?
Don’t wait for a red flag warning. Fire preparation should happen in late winter or early spring — before vegetation dries out and before CAL FIRE begins its inspection season. By the time summer arrives your defensible space should already be in place.
CAL FIRE Inspections
CAL FIRE conducts defensible space inspections throughout fire season. If your property is found to be non-compliant you can be cited and required to make corrections within a short timeframe — sometimes as little as two weeks.
Getting your property professionally cleared and maintained before inspection season keeps you compliant and gives you peace of mind.
Whit’s-Turn Tree Care — Your Fire Preparation Partner
We’ve been helping Central Coast homeowners prepare for fire season since 2006. From tree trimming and removal to full property clearing, our crew knows what CAL FIRE inspectors look for and how to get your property into compliance efficiently.
🔗 Internal link: link “Contact us for a free estimate” to your Contact page
Contact us today for a free estimate — and don’t wait until fire season is already here.