Topanga Volunteer Fire & Forestry Department: Empowering Communities

Zone Principles:

0 – 5 ft Immediate Zone

Goal: Remove anything that can ignite the home

Actions: Keep this strip non-combustible—gravel, pavers, hardscape; no shrubs, wood mulch, or stored items.

5 – 30 ft Intermediate Zone

Goal:  “Lean, Clean & Green”

Actions:  Trim branches 6 – 10 ft up, space shrubs 2× their height apart, irrigate low-resin plants.

30 – 100 ft Extended Zone

Goal:  Break up fuel continuity

Actions:  Thin trees so crowns don’t touch, remove ladder fuels, mow grasses < 4 in.

Eliminate Ladder Fuels
Anything that lets fire climb from ground to treetop—tall grasses, stacked branches, vines—should be removed or separated.

Prune & Space Trees Wisely

• Limb up conifers and eucalyptus at least 6 ft (or ⅓ tree height).
   
• Maintain 10 ft branch clearance from roofs and chimneys.
   

Seasonal Maintenance

• Spring: Pre-red-flag vegetation inspection; chip winter blow-downs.
   
• Late Summer: Second mow; clear gutters; cut dead annuals before Santa Ana winds.
   

Dispose, Don’t Stockpile 

• Use our free Neighborhood Chipping Days or LA County green-waste bins.
   
• Burning yard waste is not permitted in Zone 1 without a special permit.
   

• Slows Fire Intensity: Well-managed parcels can drop flame lengths from >30 ft to a ground crawl, making structure defense feasible.
   
• Creates Safe Access/Egress: Cleared driveways and turnouts let engines in and families out.
   
• Regulatory & Insurance Compliance: LA County requires 100 ft clearance; insurers now ask for proof before renewing policies.
   
• Collective Impact: A continuous mosaic of treated parcels forms a community-wide fire break—one slack property threatens all.
   

1. Check Your Property: Use our printable Fuel-Assessment Scorecard to identify hazards.
    
2. Book a Chipping Slot: Reserve your curb-side pickup during the next Fuel-Reduction Blitz (first Saturday each month May-October).
    
3. Hire Smart: See our vetted contractor list for arborists and defensible-space landscapers.
    
4. Stay Informed: Sign up for Fuel-Management Reminders—we’ll nudge you ahead of county inspection deadlines.
    

Every tree trimmed, every pile chipped, and every patch of dry grass cut is another step toward a fire-adapted Topanga. Start small, stay consistent, and together we’ll keep the canyon resilient.