Protect Your Property with CAL FIRE-Compliant Wildfire Defense

At ELM, we help safeguard your home from wildfire risks by establishing complete defensible space based on CAL FIRE’s 0–5–30–100 foot regulations. We prepare your property across all three critical management zones:

Zone 0 (0 to 5 ft) – Ember-Resistant Zone: Clearing all dead vegetation, combustible mulch, and debris closest to your foundation to prevent ember ignition.
Zone 1 (5 to 30 ft) – Intermediate Zone: Removing dead trees, clearing brush, and trimming tree branches at least 10 feet away from chimneys and structures.
Zone 2 (30 to 100 ft) – Extended Zone: Cutting annual grasses down to a 4-inch maximum height and creating proper horizontal and vertical spacing between trees and shrubs to slow fire spread.

Heavy-Duty Forestry & Land Management Services

Need major clearing beyond standard yard maintenance? Our expanded Forestry Package uses a 4-ton excavator and heavy-duty dump trailer to handle jobs of any size—from dense brush removal and steep terrain clearing to full land preparation.

Additional Services We Offer

Water Line Defense Installation: Emergency water line hookups and supply line defense setups.
Trail Creation & Maintenance: Access trails and emergency access route clearing.
Ditch & Drainage Clearing: Clearing culverts, ditches, and drainage pathways to manage water flow and clear debris.

707-364-0809

Elemental Land Management Zone Zero Brief
What Is Zone Zero?
Zone Zero is the 5-foot area directly surrounding any structure. California has passed new regulations requiring
all homeowners in State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) to
maintain this zone clear of combustible materials. Rulemaking was completed December 31, 2025.
Enforcement is rolling out now.

What Homeowners Must Remove From Zone Zero

Dead and dying plants and vegetation
Wood mulch and bark within 5 feet of the structure
Dry vegetation, leaves, pine needles, and debris
Combustible patio furniture and decorations
Wood fencing where it attaches directly to the home
Debris accumulated on decks, porches, and under eaves
Firewood stored against the structure

What Can Replace Combustible Materials

Gravel, decomposed granite, or crushed rock — most common and cost effective
Concrete or pavers — permanent and clean looking
Non-combustible mulch alternatives (limited options)
Bare mineral soil — acceptable but not aesthetically ideal

Who Does This Apply To?
Any homeowner in a State Responsibility Area or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. This covers most of
rural and semi-rural Sonoma County including Fountaingrove, Bennett Valley, Rincon Valley, Oakmont, Mark
West Springs, and large portions of west county. Homeowners can check their property at
osfm.fire.ca.gov/FHSZ.

Enforcement & Consequences

CAL FIRE inspectors and local fire departments are actively conducting inspections
Non-compliance can result in fines and mandatory correction orders
Insurance companies are using compliance status as a factor in coverage decisions — non-compliant
properties risk policy cancellation or rate increases
AB 38 requires defensible space compliance documentation for property sales in fire zones —
non-compliance can kill a real estate transaction

What ELM Offers

Free property assessment — we walk the property and identify all Zone Zero compliance issues
Removal of all combustible materials within the 5 foot zone
Installation of gravel or DG as non-combustible replacement
Deck and gutter perimeter clearing
Complete debris haul-away — nothing left on site
Typical job cost: $600-1,500 depending on property size
Same week availability

Our Plan
We are targeting Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone neighborhoods in Sonoma County for door to door
outreach — starting with Fountaingrove given its fire history, wealth concentration, and high density of affected
properties. We will offer free assessments at the door and convert to paid compliance jobs on the spot.

Elemental Land Management | (707) 364-0809 | elmdefense.com