Big Bear City, CA, June 4, 2014 – The San Bernardino County Fire Department’s Residential Assessment Program is back for a second year. In the coming weeks, firefighters will be going door-to-door handing out information and offering to walk the properties with homeowners on the spot and provide free evaluations of defensible space. They’ll focus on neighborhoods in the unincorporated parts of the Valley, outside City of Big Bear Lake and CSD service areas.
Defensible space is the term for a critical buffer zone around a home where combustible materials have been removed or trimmed to minimize the chance of a wildfire being carried to the building. Ideally, it extends outward from a residence 100 feet, or to the property line, whichever is less. Homeowners are urged to clear all dead vegetation from this space and around any propane tanks, cut tree limbs from the bottom six feet of a trunk and from over roofs, and keep wood piles and combustible patio furniture at least 30 feet from homes.
If you don’t want to wait for the knock on the door, you can also schedule a no-charge assessment by calling (909) 386-8400.
