Zone Zero Improvements
Zone Zero — sometimes written Zone 0 — refers to the first five feet measured outward from the exterior walls of a home, including the area under decks and attached structures. It is the space where landed embers are most likely to ignite something that then ignites the building.
What Zone Zero work involves
- Removing bark mulch and replacing it with gravel, stone or bare soil
- Removing or relocating shrubs and plantings against walls
- Clearing leaf and needle litter from foundations, corners and under decks
- Relocating firewood, propane tanks, trash bins and stored materials
- Removing combustible items from under decks and stairs
- Addressing wood fencing and gates that meet the structure
- Keeping doormats, furniture and planters noncombustible where possible
Why the first five feet matters most
Embers accumulate where wind slows and objects catch them: against walls, in corners, under decks and in landscape beds. Material in this band burns directly against siding, windows and vents, which is why it consistently ranks near the top of prioritized assessment findings.
Low cost, high priority
Much of Zone Zero work is cleanup, relocation and material substitution rather than construction. For many homeowners it is the least expensive item on the list and the first thing a professional will recommend addressing.
Service areas
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